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Dancing in Waikiki
-By Kimberley Seals
Aloha! Waikiki Beach, Hawaii was the place for dance teachers to be March 7-11. Several members from the South River (Maryland) Dance Teachers Association were in Hawaii for a workshop and conference to improve their skills as teachers and effective organizers.
�The reason this was planned for Hawaii in the early spring was because it is right before recital season and most of our members live on the east coast, and I thought it would be nice to go someplace guaranteed to be warm� remarked Trip Organizer and Copper Mountain College student Kim Seals.
Some of the activities that were participated in throughout the week were: professional business organizers to help with the management of smaller dance studios and recital organizing and planning, masters dance classes in ballet, tap, jazz and hip hop, and workshops to help the teacher teach more effectively. When asked the importance of these skills, Seals stated, �Teaching dance is a lot harder then being a student and it takes a whole different set of skills to be really good at it.�
The workshops offered opportunities for the teachers from smaller towns and areas to learn how to advertise and be as organized as some of the larger, more well known studios. Most stated that they were taught invaluable skills and were eager to return home to put some of the theories into practice.
�If providing a cultural resource is what we are able to do for our communities then this was one of the best experiences available for us� Association President Meredith Rae noted.
Of course a trip to Hawaii would not be complete without Hula lessons. During downtime participants were able to sightsee and do some of the native things like going to luaus and taking classes in lei making.
�I think the best part was the free time we had and the hula lessons, it is always enjoyable to learn things about another type of culture,� continued Rae.
After spending the mornings in the different workshop classes, the participants were able to explore the island and sightsee. From the unique restaurants and shops to the spectacular sunsets and entertainment, the general consensus of those who participated was extremely positive. The luau was, by far, the most popular event. �Everyone participated in the luau and everyone had a great time,� Rae stated.
�If given the opportunity to organize this again, I will again pick an exotic location as everyone really seemed to enjoy themselves,� concluded Seals.
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Trip Organizer and CMC student Kim Seals with Hawaiian dancer at the popular luau.
Photo By Robert Seals
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