Kristen

Instructor

Kailua Dance Academy

Miss Kristen started her training at The Movement Center (TMC) at age 5, studying ballet, tap, jazz, tumbling, and musical theater. As a student, she trained with prestigious teachers including Daniel Nelson (Royal Winnipeg Ballet), Chansri Green (alumni of the Joffrey Ballet School and Juilliard School), and Eve Walstrum (original company member of Netherlands Dans Theatre). While in TMC’s classical ballet program, under direction of Miss Chansri and Miss Carolyn, Miss Kristen performed repertoire from La Bayadere, Swan Lake, Sylvia, and many other classical ballets. In addition to TMC, Miss Kristen also trained at Diamond Head Theatre, Punahou Tap Company, and the University of Hawaii at Manoa. She has performed in Hawaii Ballet Theatre’s annual Nutcracker production, as well as productions at Manoa Valley Theater and Punahou Dance School.Miss Kristen has been working with children for over 15 years, providing childcare individually and in group settings, as well as running church classrooms and supervising at various events, performances, and outreach programs. After a non-dance-related injury, Miss Kristen refocused her dancing career on becoming a teacher, combining her love of dance with her lifelong passion for working with children. At The Movement Center, she was an assistant teacher for 6 years and a lead teacher for 4 years, working in integrated classes with differently-abled children.Currently, Miss Kristen works as the Membership Coordinator and Youth Recruiter at the Kaimuki-Waialae YMCA, continuing her dedication to youth outreach and quality enrichment programs for children. She enjoys spending her afternoons and weekends teaching at Kailua Dance Academy.