Adult Ballet Classes - Hawaii

[Guest WorldstoSee]

Hello Everyone!

 

I'm graduating from college this May and have been hired to work for a company in Honolulu, HI.

 

I danced quite a bit when I was in high school and have continued to dance at my small liberal arts college in upstate New York. Right now I'm taking two ballet classes three days a week. I love to dance and I hope to continue to dance for a very long time into my future.

 

I want to continue to take ballet classes in Hawaii not just for the obvious reasons (love for ballet, to keep in shape, etc.) but also to try to keep a constant in my life as everything else changes (moving to a location requiring a plane ride and 14-hours to get home, entering the “real world” after academia, etc.)

 

I was just wondering if anyone had any information about where I could find adult ballet classes near or around Waikiki, HI. I am looking for a location where I could ideally dance two or three times a week in the evenings after work, or on the weekends. Obviously, I am looking for teachers who can provide sound training. Also, does anyone know if the University of Hawaii offers dance classes to young adults who are not full-time matriculating students?

 

Any suggestions would be very much appreciated.

 

Thank you in advance,

Katherine

[Dance_Scholar_London]

There is a school very close to Ala Moana Center - Do a search on here and you should find it. Good luck

[Guest WorldstoSee]

Thank you Dance_Scholar_London, I managed to figure out the search feature today.

 

Clearly I'm not the only one looking for ballet classes in Hawaii. Sorry for posting a repeat topic.

 

I looked online at both the Hawaii State Ballet and Ballet Hawaii.

 

The former seems to have more class offerings at more realistic times but to me is a little pricy. Even Boston Ballet's Metrowest studio where I've been know to take some open adult classes is cheaper charging $100 for a 10 class card.

 

I don't mean to sound like a cheapskate but I'm afraid my entry-level paycheck is not going to leave me much money for "extras". Although, if the classes at Hawaii State Ballet are really my only option you better believe I'm going to try to make it work.

 

Anyone know if the University of Hawaii or any of the local community colleges have a decent dance department that would perhaps allow me to audit a course? Or are there any other studios in the area that are a little less expensive that offer decent training (clearly I'm a recreational dancer I'm not trying to become a professional or anything...of course I wouldn't settle for classes at a Dolly Dinkle studio either!!!)

 

Finding information about anything related to Hawaii online seems to be a struggle.

 

Thanks again,

Katherine

[Dance_Scholar_London]

I would contact the dance department itself. I have visited the department in January as it is an exchange school of ours in London. Most ballet classes were during the day though (I observed 2), but this might change from term to term... Good luck and let me know how it goes. I might be again in Honolulu in January 2007

[BarreTalk]

I don't mean to sound like a cheapskate but I'm afraid my entry-level paycheck is not going to leave me much money for "extras". Although, if the classes at Hawaii State Ballet are really my only option you better believe I'm going to try to make it work.

 

As a former resident of the 50th state, let me assure you that EVERYTHING in Hawaii is expensive (except heating oil and ski parkas). I haven't seen any recent numbers, but a few years ago it was estimated that living in Honolulu cost 20% more than Manhattan.

[Guest WorldstoSee]

The cost comparison calculators that I have found online say that today Honolulu, HI is about 20% more expensive than Boston, MA (groceries can be up to 30% more expensive). I don't know why I didn't assume that cost of living increase would include the cost of dance classes as well .

 

Trust me if it is even remotely financially possible I'm going to keep paying for dance classes. Right now I know I'm not bringing a car with me to the island so I should save money by not having to pay for gas and car insurance. So perhaps I can shift a tiny portion of that saved money to my dance fund .

Edited March 28, 2006 by WorldstoSee

[boybluetights]

I used to have a list of dance schools in Hawaii but the only one near Honolulu I can think of which you can try is www.honoluludancetheatre.com

 

School of honolulu Dance Theatre, Windward Community College. Resident Teachers including Matthew Wright, trained at the Royal Ballet School. I went to see their Nutcracker ballet 6 years ago, it was wonderful to see a Hawaiian version!

[olddude]

I just got back from a week in Honolulu, and managed to attend two classes at Hawaii State Ballet. These were "Adult Beginner" level classes, and were well suited to my experience level - two years of classes. (There are three such classes per week, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, and Saturday morning.)

 

Classes are expensive by mainland standards, but within the normal island markup. 10-class cards make it more affordable if you are there for a longer time. I thought the quality of instruction was very good, people were friendly and helpful, and the studio was well-organized - not things you can count on everywhere, after all. Music was recorded, but the classes were small - four on Saturday, seven on Tuesday. Unusually, three men (counting me) and four women - very refreshing. Small classes meant everyone got specific attention and corrections.

[gimpydancer]

Hi Katherine,

 

I grew up in Hawaii, married a guy in the navy and was gone for eight years and recently back for six (we're in Ohio now). My daughter and I took a few classes at Hawaii State Ballet and both they and Ballet Hawaii seem to have a good reputation. Ballet Hawaii actually has the "bigger" Nutcracker at Blaisdell Concert Hall.

 

Honolulu Dance Theatre is actually on the windward side, in Kaneohe. Not very close to Waikiki.

 

The bus system is excellent (and actually pretty inexpensive-I had a monthly bus pass for $40 and that was only a year and a half ago). Hawaii State Ballet is right on one of the main bus lines and you would have no problem at all catching a bus from Waikiki or from downtown to get there. If you are working downtown then Ballet Hawaii would be fairly close, probably a couple miles away.

 

There's also Queen Emma Ballet but I don't know anything about them. They're right in downtown but a straight shot from Waikiki on the bus. They also have a web site.

 

Hope this helps!

 

Betsy

[Guest WorldstoSee]

Thanks for all the helpful advice! It helps to have some idea of where to start looking. I will keep you all updated after my move to let you know where I end up.

 

Thanks Again,

Katherine