DANCE STUDIO AND CLASSES

  General Information     Class Descriptions     Class Schedules     Enrollment Procedure     Program Details  

The Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio and School conducts classes of dance, music, and other training in various performing arts of the South Pacific, which includes Hawaiian, Polynesian, Tahitian, and Samoan styles.

We are proud to own and operate one of the rare minority of schools in the Chicago area and the entire Midwestern United States that specializes entirely in these arts. We have remained devoted to this tradition for over 35 years and continue it today through the training of over 150 students a year.

(Page Last Revised August 31, 2010  — Major update to page: Class Schedule and Descriptions Updated for new school year)

General Information

The Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio runs two different programs of dance classes.  Program one is our Dance Company Training Program.  This is a formal training program for the serious student with the focus on learning the South Pacific dances as a true art form with attention to precision, technique, execution, and showmanship.  Program two is our Summer Hula Dance Class.  This is an informal dance class with the focus on having fun and learning basic hula in a relaxed and casual setting.  For complete details of each program and more information that will help you select the track that will suit you best, go to the Program Details section further on this page.  Regardless of your selection, you will be taking your lessons from a Hawaiian and Polynesian dance master.

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Class Descriptions

  Keiki     Wahine     Ori Tahiti     Professional     Specialty     Summer Program  

Following lists our various dance training divisions and the primary class categories in the divisions.  All the divisions listed below, except for Summer Hula, are within the Dance Company Training Program.  Summer Hula is the informal program having a stand-alone dance class.

The Barefoot Hawaiian is proud to teach children Hula and the art of Hawaiian dance, and teaching young students is one of our specialties.  Our head instructor started at age 3 herself and knows firsthand how much fun this can be for children to learn a dance art.  For our Keiki classes, children are placed according to age.  The classes are designed for students of any skill level within their age group.

The performances of our Keiki at public shows is one of our biggest draws, appealing to and providing great entertainment for the entire family.  The photos shown in this section is of our Keiki performing on stage at various local public shows.

KEIKI ONE 

Our Keiki One  program is designed specifically to introduce dance to children at the very early pre-school age.

Open to both, boys and girls, ages 3 through 5, beginning Hula taught in a fun and interactive class.

KEIKI TWO,
THREE & FOUR

Our next levels of Keiki dance instruction is a continuing program for school-aged children, boys and girls, up to the teenage years.

Classes are divided by age as follows:

Keiki 2 - Ages 6-7
Keiki 3 - Ages 8-9
Keiki 4 - Ages 10-11 

Our students in these classes take part in full Polynesian dance which includes Tahitian rhythms and the full range of Hawaiian dance arts.

Although the classes are structured by ages, Keiki Two through Four often perform on stage at public shows together as a large group.  The photos shown here collectively depict this.

These classes are designed for both, new students to enter the program at any age and for existing students to progress from one age group through the next.  So, if you're a parent with a 10 or 11 year old child, our program can accept your son or daughter as a brand new student.

KEIKI JUNIOR 

These Keiki classes are for teenagers, boys and girls, ages 12 through 15.

As is true for all our Keiki classes, new students are always welcome to enter the program.

So, if you're a 15 year old boy or girl with a brand new interest in Polynesian dance, our program can accept you as a brand new student and learn for the first time.

For our students that have progressed from previous classes, they will learn advanced techniques covering the full range of Polynesian dance arts.  In addition, for those students wishing to continue on, these classes prepare students for entry into one of the adult classes where they will be later placed according to their skill level.

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Wahine

These Barefoot Hawaiian dance lessons are for women ages 16 and up.

The Wahine for Fun class offers a range of the Hawaiian dances in a fun and hang-loose setting, yet with the discipline that provides confidence to perform on stage.  Many of our Wahine dancers perform at our public shows and with great appeal.

Wahine for Fun is the perfect division for ladies who wish to learn and perform but not commit to the rigors of advanced and professional dance training. 

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ORI TAHITI

The Barefoot Hawaiian offers a Wahine class focusing strictly on Tahitian dance technique.

This is an advanced and challenging class designed for ladies with previous Tahitian dance experience. 

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The professional dance division of the Barefoot Hawaiian Studio and School is the graduate-level program in the world of Polynesian dance. These classes are highly advanced in nature and designed for the field of professional entertainment. Training is both challenging and demanding, and classes should be attended by serious students only.  Focus is on perfection of technique and timing, precision and execution of the dance, and on exhibition and showmanship, all of which our clients expect from our professional entertainers.

WAHINE

This class is for women who wish to become professional entertainers and for current performers wishing to advance their skills.

Females interested in becoming performers for the Barefoot Hawaiian should be attending these classes.

All current female professional performers of the Barefoot Hawaiian dance company are required to attend the Wahine class in order to retain their professional status and regularly recertify their professional qualifications.

KANE

This class is for men who wish to become professional entertainers and for current performers wishing to advance their skills.

Gentlemen interested in becoming performers for the Barefoot Hawaiian should be attending these classes.

All current male professional performers of the Barefoot Hawaiian dance company are required to attend the Kane class in order to retain their professional status and regularly recertify their professional qualifications.

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In addition to the standard and regularly scheduled dance classes listed above, the Barefoot Hawaiian also provides training in a number of select and specialty areas.  These include the following:

Dance & Related Performing Arts:

• Maori Poi Balls for adults
  Maori Poi Balls is the specialty dance from New Zealand involving control of bound cloth balls swung from the end of cords operated from both hands.  This dance teaches incredible hand and eye coordination and control. 
• Maori Poi Balls for keiki 
  This is the same Maori Poi Balls class described above but is designed specially for children.
  (Keiki is "children" in Hawaiian.)
• Ori Tahiti for Tamari'i
  Similar to our regular adult Ori Tahiti class described earlier, this special class is designed for Tamari'i ages 10-15.  (Tamari'i is "children" in Tahitian)
• Samoan Fire Knife, a/k/a Siva Afi - "Dance of Fire."
  Learn the specialized art of the spectacular Fire Knife Dance, an art form originating from Samoa designed to simulate tribal warriors in battle.  Students in this class will learn technique and precision in twirling and movement.  Available to adults ages 16 and up.
• Polynesian Mix
  This is an advanced and challenging class for offered by invitation only to children who have been students with the Barefoot Hawaiian for at least 2 years and have excelled in their dancing.  This class will included dances from the various cultures of Polynesia.

Note: Unless specified otherwise all dance and dance-related performing art classes run about 45 minutes in length.

Music:

• Drumming
  Learn Tahitian drumming.  Available to adults and children from ages 12 and up.
  Drumming is a 45 minute class.
• Ukulele for adults
  The Ukulele is the Hawaiian musician's primary musical instrument, and the word translates literally "jumping flea."  This class is for adults ages 16 and up and welcomes students from all skill levels, including the beginner and first timer.  This class generally runs on a slightly different and extended schedule from the regular season classes, meeting only every other week, but with each session running for 2 hours.
  Each student must have his (or her) own ukulele.
• Ukulele for Keiki
  Keiki is "children" in Hawaiian, and this class, available to keiki ages 8-15, teaches ukulele to these younger students and welcomes students from all skill levels, including the beginner and first timer.  This class generally runs on a slightly different and extended schedule from the regular season classes, meeting only every other week, but with each session running for 90 minutes.  Each student must have his (or her) own ukulele.

Fine Arts:

• Tropical Painting for adults
  Learn how to paint and create beautiful tropical painting with artiste Gabriela Keahi-ialo Mejia.  Learn the basics and fundamentals of color, blending, and composition while you learn to use a variety of media, including acrylic, watercolor, and pastels.  In this class you will learn to paint sunsets, flowers, and palm trees.
  Tropical Painting for adults is a 1-hour class.  Registration is limited strictly to only 8 students per class.
• Tropical Painting for Keiki
  This class is similar to the class for adults described above but designed and intended for children ages 9-15.
  Tropical Painting for keiki is a 1-hour class.  Registration is limited strictly to only 8 students per class.

Health and Wellness:

• HU-GA
  Discover the Harmony, Unity, and Gratitude of Aloha (HU-GA) in this all new Barefoot Hawaiian exclusive class that combines the techniques of both Hula and Yoga.  Experience the piece and joy that awaits you and connect with your inner self.  This class is available to men and women, ages 16 and up.  Participants should dress comfortably and bring a towel and a mat (or other suitable floor covering or padding on which to sit and lie on).  Each HU-GA session runs for 45 minutes.
  HU-GA classes operate and are in session during our regular quarterly class schedule, but attendance and registration different.  HU-GA sessions are run at multiple times throughout week providing for maximum flexibility to your own personal schedule.  Also, unlike our regular performing art classes which operate under a formal registration and committed attendance, HU-GA operates informally and without the need for registration or even regular attendance.  You come to HU-GA sessions when you can.  Simply show up the night or nights you wish to come and pay $12 (cash only) for the individual session at the door; or, to save, purchase an "8 Session Punch Card" for only $80 (cash or check).  The punch card is good for the entire school year and may be used for any classes held throughout.  The punch card savings is equivalent to receiving more than one and one half free lessons on every card.

Some of these classes may not run by a regular schedule and are offered only at certain times based on the number and progression of advanced students for which these classes are available.  Admission to some of the advanced dance classes may be by invitation only to advanced students of the dance company who have demonstrated a proven proficiency in the Hawaiian and Tahitian techniques.  

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When our dance company training program is on summer vacation, we continue with a variety of informal classes during the summer.  The summer program is all about fun and are the only classes we offer that is not a part of the Barefoot Hawaiian dance company training program.

Anyone can learn hula, and you will do so in a relaxed and informal environment without need for previous training or experience in any dance form.  No high expectations from students.  No costumes or special equipment or apparel needed.  This class offers an excellent way to introduce you to this beautiful form of dance.

The classes are comprised of 4 to 6 lessons: one lesson a week over a  4 to 6 week period.  It runs when our formal dance company training program is on Summer Vacation.  Enrollment is informal and simple.  You simply download a flier with registration form from this web site, fill it in, and return it with your class fee. That is all there is to it.  Look below under the Class Schedule section for the class dates and the downloadable form.

This classes may be offered to a variety of age groups.  See the summer schedule for the age requirements of any specific class. 

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Class Schedule

The Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio and School runs its dance company classes similarly in schedule to that of any formal school of education.  The training year runs from Fall through Spring and is divided into 4 quarters of 8 weeks each (except for certain specialty classes denoted below).

Each quarter offers a different curriculum of classes and levels from which the student will be placed.  Classes run evenings during the week from Monday through Thursday and during the day on Saturday.  The exact day and time depends on the class for which you will be enrolling.  The detailed schedule along with tuition for each class is provided in the curriculum and registration packet.

In addition to our regular dance company training year we also offer a summer program.  The summer classes are basic hula for adult women (age 16 and older) and are intended for fun with the classes being more laid back and relaxed.  Enrollment for the summer programs is also much simpler.

Following is our current schedule and enrollment status for the 2010 - 2011 School Year:

• Special Pre-School year and Pre-Season Class Introduction
  Free HU-GA Classes !
  As a way to launch our new school year with something special and to introduce our all new HU-GA classes, the Barefoot Hawaiian is offering and inviting anyone and everyone, ages 16 and up, men and women, to attend any or all of our 3 free HU-GA classes.  (See class description above.)
  The free 45 minute classes will be held from 7:30 to 8:15 PM on Monday, Tuesday, & Thursday, September 13, 14, & 16 respectively.  No registration, forms, or reservation required.  Simply bring a towel and a mat (or other suitable floor padding to lay on) with you and show up for the class and let the Harmony, Unity, & Gratitude of Aloha (HUGA) take you and a wonderful journey to connect with your inner self.

1. 1st Quarter
   Monday, September 20, 2010 — Saturday, November 13, 2010
   (8 classes out of the 8 week calendar period)
   All Dance, Performing Arts, Drumming, and Painting Classes, according to the following day assignments:
   Monday evening programs offered: Keiki I, Keiki Kane, Wahine for Fun, Adult Kane, Tropical Painting (adult and keiki).
   Tuesday evening programs offered: Keiki II, Keiki Junior, Tamari'i Ori Tahiti, Wahine for Fun, Adult Ori Tahiti,  Keiki Maori Poi Balls
   Thursday evening programs offered: Adult Maori Poi Balls, Advanced Ori Tahiti, Siva Afi, All Company & Professional Division classes.
   Saturday afternoon programs offered: Drumming
   Status:  Registration and enrollment for all classes are now open.  Register in person anytime on the following open registration days and times:
   September 1 & 2 —  from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
   September 3, 4, 8, 9, & 10 — from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
   September 11 — from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
   Before coming in, please feel free to call and request a full enrollment packet containing the details of the classes offered, detail class schedule, and course costs.
   Deadline for registration and payment of tuition is Saturday, September 11 at 1:00 PM
   

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   Special 1st Quarter Health and Wellness Class:  HU-GA
   Monday, September 20, 2010 — Thursday, November 11, 2010
   (8 weeks of classes at multiple times out of the 8 week calendar period)
   HU-GA Classes are held at the following times each week:
   Mondays: 9:15 - 10:00 PM
   Tuesday: 2 sessions available: 5:30 - 6:15 PM and 8:30 - 9:15 PM
   Thursdays: 8:45 - 9:30 PM
   Status:  No advanced or formal registration required.  No commitment to attend.  Once classes start on September 20, simple arrive and attend any class you choose.  Pay for that night's session at the door in cash or purchase an 8-punch card at a discounted price and have your card punched upon each attendance. 

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   Special Fall-Winter Music Class:  Ukulele - Adults
   September 22, 2010 — December 29, 2010 (8 classes total over the 15 week calendar period)
   Ukulele Classes are held on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 9:00 PM, every other week, beginning September 22, 2010 and ending on December 29, 2010.

   Special Fall-Winter Music Class:  Ukulele - Keiki
   September 29, 2010 — January 5, 2011 (8 classes total over the 15 week calendar period)
   Ukulele for Keiki classes are held on Wednesdays from 7:00 to 8:30 PM, every other week, beginning September 29, 2010 and ending on January 5, 2011.

   Status for both adult and keiki ukulele classes:  Registration and enrollment for classes are now open.  Register in person anytime on the following open registration days and times:
   September 1 & 2 —  from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
   September 3, 4, 8, 9, & 10 — from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
   September 11 — from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM
   Before coming in, please feel free to call and request a full enrollment packet containing the details of the classes offered, detail class schedule, and course costs.
   Deadline for registration and payment of tuition is Saturday, September 11 at 1:00 PM

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2. 2nd Quarter
   Dance and Performing Arts classes
   November 15, 2010 — January 29, 2011 (8 classes out of the 11 week calendar period)
   No classes will be held the weeks of
   November 22 (Thanksgiving week) and December 20 & 27 (Christmas Holiday)
   Programs Offered: To be announced.
   Classes held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
   Status:  Registration and details forthcoming.
3. 3rd Quarter
   Dance and Performing Arts classes
   January 31, 2011 — March 26, 2011 (8 classes out of the 8 week calendar period)
   Programs Offered: To be announced.
   Classes held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
   Status:  Registration and details forthcoming.
4. 4th Quarter
   Dance and Performing Arts classes
   April 5, 2011 — May 28, 2010 (8 classes out of the 8 week calendar period)
   Programs Offered: To be announced.
   Classes held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays
   Status:  Registration and details forthcoming.

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Enrollment Procedure

Note: If you are not yet completely familiar with our dance studio and training programs, please first read the Program Details section on this web page, before reading about the particulars of actual enrollment.

Dance Company Students:

General Procedure for all Students

The enrollment procedure varies only slightly depending on whether you are an existing student or a new student.  In either case, pre-registration for all classes and students is required.  Once the class begins or becomes full, enrollment closes.

For both existing students and new students, enrollment for the new training year commencing in Fall opens in late Summer. During this time there is an open enrollment period whereby students must be admitted in person.  The dates for this open enrollment period are shown in the above Class Schedule and scheduled during the summer.

Although, general enrollment for the training year occurs in late summer, specific class assignments are made at the beginning of each quarter.  Class assignment and choices is determined between student and instructor and is usually based upon the student's progress and current skill level.  Tuition for each quarter is due before the start of each quarter according to the tuition deadline date in the schedule.

Please note that there are limits on the class size, and all classes offered through the Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio always fill to capacity.  Early registration is recommended and encouraged.

Existing Students

A class curriculum and enrollment packet is mailed (1st class postal) each summer to all current students of the Barefoot Hawaiian Dance School. If you do not receive this packet by the first week of August, let us know.  We will get one to you promptly.  Also watch your email.  Email notifications as to when the enrollment packets will be mailed are sent to all students with email addresses.

Student will complete the information section of the registration form and the consent form and come to the studio with the completed forms during the open enrollment period.  The purpose for the in-person registration to get each student properly placed in his or her appropriate class based on skill and advancement level. Students under 18, must arrive with a parent or guardian.  Tuition for the 1st quarter is due at the time of registration.  Tuition for subsequent quarters are due before each quarter starts by the date indicated in the class schedule.

New Students

The Barefoot Hawaiian openly welcomes new students to our dance company.  If you are a new prospective student interested in admission to the dance company and entering its training program, please call us at 847-699-7336, and we will mail out a full curriculum and enrollment packet when they are available for release each summer.

Upon receipt, complete the student information section of the registration form and the consent form and visit the studio during our open enrollment period in the same way that existing students do.  Students under 18, must arrive with a parent or guardian. The free, in-person consultation is to ensure you are properly placed in a class appropriate for your gender, age group, style, and skill level and exists to ensure success and satisfaction with our students.

Please note that we open admission for new students for the 1st and 2nd quarters only of each training year.  Only existing students may continue on with the training for the 3rd and 4th quarters.  This is to maintain the best and highest quality dance training program for our regular student body and so we can focus on more advanced training during the 2nd half of each school year.  If you are wishing to join us as a new student, you must do so by the 2nd quarter.

Summertime Hula Students:

Enrollment for the Summer Hula class is extremely informal and easy.  When the schedule for this class is announced, a flier and registration form will be available for download from this web site.   Look for the link to this downloadable form under the class schedule.  Simply complete the form and mail in with the appropriate class fee to the Barefoot Hawaiian, or stop by the studio or store and drop it off in person.  When received and processed, we will notify you with a confirmation of your enrollment.

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Program Details

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WE ARE EASY TO FIND AND GET TO

The Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio and School  is conveniently located in the Northwestern suburbs of Chicago in Des Plaines, Illinois

10 minutes from O'Hare International Airport, and 5 minutes from both the I-90 and the I-294 Highways
Plenty of free parking.  A map is available on our Contact Us page - Quick Link to it Here

The Barefoot Hawaiian Dance Studio
1401 East Oakton Street
Des Plaines, Illinois 60018
(847) 699-7336
All regular dance classes are held Monday through Thursday evenings

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