View 4-Year degree map for the Dance Concentration

The dance program at UH Hilo provides students with a personalized and enriching experience that balances technical training with creative growth. Through hands-on courses in Ballet, Jazz Dance, Contemporary Dance/Hawaiʻi Themes, and Modern Dance, students develop a strong, versatile foundation in movement. For those seeking deeper involvement, classes in choreography and participation in the dance ensemble offer valuable performance experience and artistic opportunities beyond the classroom. Additionally, the Dance in Education course is especially beneficial for aspiring teachers, as it explores how movement can be integrated into educational settings to support learning, foster creativity, and promote physical literacy among students of all ages.

Dance can be a powerful asset in many career paths beyond the performing arts. The discipline, creativity, and teamwork developed through dance are highly transferable skills valued in fields like education, therapy, business, and healthcare. For example, educators can use movement to enhance learning and student engagement, while therapists might incorporate dance into practices that support emotional and physical healing. In business or marketing, the confidence, presentation skills, and creative thinking gained through dance can improve public speaking and innovative problem-solving. Even in fields like sports science or physical therapy, a background in dance provides valuable insight into body mechanics, movement efficiency, and injury prevention. Ultimately, dance nurtures well-rounded individuals who can think creatively, communicate effectively, and work collaboratively in a wide range of professional settings.

Under the leadership of Kristi Kapahua and Annie Bunker, UH Hilo's dance program has empowered numerous students to pursue careers not only on stage and in the dance studio, but also in fields such as choreography, education, event production, and administration after graduation.

More about UH Hilo's Dance Program:

• UH Hilo Dance Students Selected to Perform at National Festival
• Dance at UH Hilo (by Sarah Dunaway)
• Studying Dance Online at UH Hilo (by Jordan Ancheta)
• UH Hilo Educator Kea Kapahua
• Aerial Dancer Annie Bunker

Love Dance at UH Hilo? Consider donating through UH Foundation: - University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Dance O Hawaiʻi Fund