Raina Racki began her dance dreams studying ballet in the Midwest with Stefannie Valencia Kierlin before diving onto the floor with modern dance at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where she earned a BFA in Dance with Honors. She had the joy of studying at summer intensives at the Alvin Ailey School in NYC and ODC in San Francisco.
Raina started assisting with pre-ballet and Ballet I at the age of 11 and has continued nurturing dancers since then. Most recently she has taught ballet, modern, and improvisation while also choreographing for 5 years at the Minnesota Conservatory for the Arts, under the umbrella of St. Mary’s University.
She has enjoyed teaching dance and choreographing over the years in Hawai’i, Illinois, Minnesota, North Carolina, Oregon, Wisconsin and Israel. Performance credit highlights range from festivals in Kyoto, Edinburgh and Vilnuis to Hawaiian Island performances with Waimea Community Theatre, Iona Contemporary Dance Theatre, Wailana Dance Company, Convergence Dance Theatre, Realisations Production Co. and ‘Ohi’a Productions.
In addition to dancing, she loves singing, acting, writing and growing organic food. Raina is excited to teach technique and nurture artistry with the dwellers of our beautiful island!