About the Director
Jill Tanioka opened Dance Junction Hawaii in 2005 fulfilling her lifelong dream to run her own dance studio. As a child, Jill danced for ten years with Drill Team Hawaii and was a member of the select "Showteam." In the ninth grade, she began teaching and choreographing for DTH before moving on to dance
as a Rainbow Dancer at the University of Hawaii where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology. Currently she uses her degree working for Hawaii Behavioral
Health as she has been invested in working with children with special needs since graduated from college.
In 1994, Jill began teaching dance and gymnastics at Iolani School where she remained for ten years. While there, the Iolani Dance Team traveled to Nationals
twice and were awarded several national titles. During her time at Iolani, Jill won numerous choreography awards for her work with the dance team.
Among her accomplishments are several solo and team titles as a dancer as well as many national and international awards as a director, coach, and
choreographer. Jill has performed at the Laker's exhibition games, the Macy's Day Parade, Pro Bowl, Hula Bowl, Aloha Bowl and throughout the United States. She has also
studied dance at UH Manoa, Orange Coast College, and the Edge. Miss Jill teaches keiki through advanced classes as well as choreographs for the classes and the company.
About the Instructors
Lyndsey Arakawa is a graduate on the University of Hawaii and teaches at Stevenson Middle School. Miss Lyndsey has been with Dance Junction since the beginning
and is now the assistant director. Miss Lyndsey has danced for fifteen years and has been a student of Miss Jill's at Iolani and Dance Junction and is a former UH Rainbow Dancer. She is trained
in jazz, ballet, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, hula, and Tahitian and has performed and competed with her team and as a soloist winning numerous national championships. Miss Lyndsey has been a title holder twice
at American Dance/Drill Team USA and twice at Spotlight. She has also been a finalist at MA Dance Nationals and Miss Dance Drill Team International.
Marisa Takiguchi, a junior at Loyola Maramount University, teaches hip hop for Dance Junction building upon her college dance training. Marisa was a student of Miss Jill's
at Iolani and Dance Junction. Among several solo title, Marisa won the prestigious World Championship in Tokyo, Japan in 2007. Marisa is trained in jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip hop, hula, tahitian, and ballet.
About the Company
Dance Junction Hawaii has a Sr company comprised of three teams: the silver squad (High School team), black squad (Jr. High team),
and the turquoise squad (Alums). DJH also has a Jr. company for elementary aged dancers comprised of two teams: the turquoise squad (grades 3-5) and the pink squad (grades 1-3).
The company's motto is "Believe." The studio's colors are turquoise, silver and black.
About the Dancers
Each team member is commited to excellence both in dance and in their personal lives. Nearly all are on the Headmaster's List in school for having outstanding
grades. Many dancers also find time to do community service projects and volunteer work throughout the State. Team members belong to the National Key Club
and have received National Merit awards as well as placed in the Jr. Miss Pageant. Several dancers also serve as officers and student counsel members at their schools.
Many dancers have taken classes at the Edge Studio in Hollywood, CA as well attending workshops by top choreographers. Nearly all Dance Junction alumni dance
at their prospective colleges.
| | Events 8/13/11 Ala Moana Centerstage 5:00pm 10/29/11 Maryknoll Luau 12:00pm 11/18/11 Moiliili Community Center Open House 5:00pm 11/25/11 Wakiki Holiday Parade 7:00pm 12/17/11 DJH Holiday Banquet 10:00-2:00pm Hawaii Prince 12/18/11 Private Party- Kaneohe 12:00pm 3/4/12 Honolulu Festival- Convention Center 3/11/12 Showmakers Competition- Turtle Bay Resort 3/15-3/18/12 Competition Redondo Beach, CA 4/15/12 AIDS Walk- Kapiolani Park 8:00am 4/21/12 Private Party- Veterans Hall 6/9/12 7th Annual Showcase at Mamiya Theatre 5:00pm |