Founder/Director:  Cathy Izumi   began her training at the University of Hawaii at Hilo with Cathy Roe.  Inspired by the professional standards of her own mentors at Danceworks — Simeon Den and Marie Takazawa, she served as director of the Danceworks childrens division from 1984 to 1991.  Cathy's joy of dance has also made valuable contributions to the dance programs at Punahou, Iolani, Kamehameha and La Pietra Schools.  In addition to her teaching schedule, Cathy has perfomed and choreographed for Hawaii's finest professional companies and beauty pageants; is a former director of the University of Hawaii Rainbow Dancers; and served as leader for the Honolulu New Hope Christian Fellowship Dance Ministry's, Contemporary Core Team.  In 1991, Cathy was able to bring together Hawaii's leading dance instructors and techniques to create the Honolulu Dance Studio (HDS). 

 

Director of Ballet Program:  Elizabeth Miller studied ballet in Hawaii under the direction of Ballet Master Nolan Dingman.  At the age of twelve, she was accepted as an apprentice with the Honolulu City Ballet.  Elizabeth furthered her study of dance in Sarasota, Florida as well as Tokyo, Japan; London, England; and Scotland, where she performed in the annual Edinburgh Festival.  Her performances have included roles in Giselle, Swan Lake, Coppelia, Nutcracker, Carousel, Lucia di Lamammor, and Aida.  Under the guidance of Nolan Dingman, Elizabeth has been able to turn her knowledge of dance into the necessary teaching skills to train young dancers from beginning to advanced professional levels, including pas de deux.  Elizabeth is currently enjoying her 17th year of teaching ballet at Honolulu Dance Studio.  In 2008, Elizabeth was honored to be one of 2 ballet teachers, selected from across the country, to teach at the prestigious Fairbanks Summer Art Festival.   

  

  
 

 

Denise Kobayashi was a member of the original Honolulu Gurlz Dance Company in 1986. With her love of working with children, at the age of 15, Cathy entrusted her as an instructor for the Pre-Jazz class.  From that point on, her passion for dance grew.  In her 19 years of teaching dance, she has worked with ages ranging from 3 to adult.  In the past she has been the director of the Teen, Junior and Keiki Companies.  Her choreography has won top awards in local, national and international competitions such as Urban Jamm, Hip Hop Expo and Dance Excellence.  

 

  


 

Jared Ake has been dancing, choreographing, and teaching in Hawaii for over 16 years. Starting off with Big City Productions under Pam Sandridge, along with the street group SLAM under Mara Bacon, his love for dance and choreographing was developed and nurtured. His choreography and teaching became known as he worked with the likes of Honolulu Dance Studio, 24/7, Hypersquad and Drill Team Hawaii.  Currently working in the Performing Arts Program at Word of Life Christian Center and the Word of Life Academy, he continues to share his love and passion for dance.

 

John Izumi, Jr. has been an active member of the Honolulu Dance Studio sine 1994.  He became committed to dance when he joined the HDS performing company, Honolulu Dance Company, at the age of ten.  At fourteen, he taught his first class and continued to do so until moving to California in 2008 to further his dance, performance and theatrical training.  John's perfoming experience includes music videos; international competitions; ongoing professional shows; and touring with the international performing group, Young Americans.  

 

Victoria Brown is new to the islands and has trained in ballet, jazz, tap, hip hop, lyrical, and contemporary for the past seventeen years.  Hailing from Starstruck Academy of Dance with Lisa Holtz-Odell in Denver, Colorado, Victoria has worked with such choreographers as Brian Freidman, Mia Michaels, Mandy Moore, Dee Caspary, Justin Giles, and Nick Lopez.  In high school, Victoria traveled to multiple cities as an assistant teacher for the national competition and convention circuit, Hollywood Vibe.  After graduating from Grandview High School in Denver, Victoria was accepted into Texas Christian University where she auditioned for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders and was accepted as a rookie training camp candidate for the 2007/2008 football season.  Most recently, Victoria auditioned for season four of Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” where she made it to the top fifty dancers in Las Vegas.  Victoria’s aspirations include continued work with the dancers at Honolulu Dance Studio, where she finds herself welcomed and at home.

 

Walter Hitchcock is a nationally certified gymnastics instructor and has been the head coach for the Hawaiian Island Twisters (HITS) boy's and men's team since 2002.  He previously served as the Outreach Program Director at HITS from 1999-2002.  With his 23 years of experience in gymnastics instruction, Walter was also the head coach for the boy's/mens' gymnastics team and recreational coach at both the Hawaii Academy of Gymnastics and Kokokahi Gymnastics Teams.  He is also a USAG Safety Certified Instructor, nationally certified gymnastics judge, USAG Skill Evaluator and was the Hawaii State Director for Men's Gymnastics from 1993-2004.   In addition, Walter is a competitive runner and has completed over 23 marathons.