The annual Dance Collective will open the UH-Hilo Performing Arts Center’s season of performances.
For the Hawaii Island dance community, the Dance Collective show has become its “Super Bowl” as various dance studios and individuals come together at the PAC to watch and learn from each other every year.
Zoi Nakamura has choreographed and danced in all eight Dance Collective shows, giving her the opportunity to watch her growth through the lenses of audiences and fellow dancers.
“For the Collective, I usually dance in contemporary style, which is a fusion of ballet, jazz and hip hop influences. As each Collective has gone by, the style has evolved with what I’ve learned,” Nakamura said. “I wasn’t going to continue dancing after high school, but doing the Collective in my senior year and the years after that was a huge part of why I decided to continue and make the transitions I’ve made.”
Nakamura participated in the first Collective as a senior in high school, which is when she connected with many dancers at other studios in East Hawaii for the first time. By watching different groups and individuals perform, she found herself growing as a dancer and becoming closer with the dance community.
“The dance community is small, but mighty. We’ve been able to collaborate with one another, take each other’s classes and lean on one another when trying to learn new things,” Nakamura said. “The Collective gives everyone the opportunity to showcase the skills from their dance programs and institutions, which is not the case normally. Usually, studios have their own performances, and there isn’t a lot of crossover.”
Dori Yamada, associate manager of PAC, has produced the Dance Collective every year to give dancers and choreographers a little reunion and an opportunity to share their art with even more people.
“Every year, I am just blown away by the talent and growth I see from the dancers and choreographers. The Collective continues to be a special show and experience for all of us,” Yamada said. “I’m so grateful Hilo loves it, too. We’re expecting all 600 seats to be full, which is just awesome.”
The ability to perform and choreograph for the Dance Collective every year reignited Nakamura’s passion for dance, and has opened her world to more mentors and peers. She has recently left a career in teaching and is planning on moving to New York City to become a professional dancer.
“I am so grateful I didn’t quit dancing,” Nakamura said. “The Collective has been a huge part of that journey and the realization that I don’t have to let go of my passion to be successful in adulthood.”
Yamada plans to continue the tradition of the Dance Collective, and audiences can expect this annual performance each September.
“The collaborative spirit of our community would not have happened without Dori and the Collective, so I am so grateful,” Nakamura said. “It’s enhanced and opened doors for many of us.”
The Dance Collective begins at 7 p.m. tonight but is sold out.
For more information about upcoming shows and performances at the PAC, visit artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu/dance-collective.
Email Kelsey Walling at kwalling@hawaiitribune-herald.com.