This year marked the tenth anniversary of Kona Dance & Performing Arts’ annual showcase and dance concert. What started as just a handful of families joining forces to bring performance arts accessibility to the Kona Coast has grown into a pillar of our community, with over 200 students passing through it each year.
Thus, the tenth annual concert, titled Chapters, was a truly heartfelt celebration of this decade of diligence. For many dancers, it was a fulfillment of years of commitment and hard work, made possible only by the continued dedication of the incredible instructors and the families who have carried this vision forward.
The performance itself was incredibly moving and diverse, with heartrending senior solos, interpretive contemporary pieces and fun pop choreography that had even the audience swaying in their seats. In all, there were too many highlights to count.
Yet, one of the pieces that stuck out to me was a lovely pastoral ballet, complete with turn of the (last) century costumes. Typically, when we think of dance and Hawai'i, it is hula that comes to mind, as it should, but it was incredibly moving to see another medium of dance being used to evoke a sense of old Hawai'i and celebrate our beautiful home.
So, as Kona Dance & Performing Arts looks toward another decade of helping our community to grow and reach further than they thought possible, we say thank you to every family, staff member and volunteer who has made this chapter possible.
To learn more about their classes for both children and adults, visit KonaDanceAndPerformingArts.org.