IDA presented The Nutcracker, December 8-10, 2024. General Admission was $20 and $5 more at the door. Tickets were available at the Hilo Palace Theater box office or online at hilopalace.com.

Since 1977, Island Dance Academy has taught East Hawaiʻi children classical ballet, tap and jazz. Students start as young as four and are offered multiple levels of dance in each of these specialties.

This Fall we offer classes five days a week from Tuesday through Saturday. Tuition gets more affordable with the more classes taken, so be sure to learn it all!

Assistant Director: Megan Kimata

Teachers: Megan Kimata, Kira Okazaki

Suen Hughes, Director

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Suen is a UH Hilo graduate in Dance and Education who has danced with the Greater Houston Civic Ballet. She has trained with amazing dancers including Agnes DeMille, Finis Young, Bruce Marks, Ronn Guidi, and Earnest Morgan. She founded Island Dance Academy in 1977.

The Academy's performances have included Mary Poppins, Alice in Wonderland, Babes in Toyland, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Wizard of Oz as well as annual Nutcracker performances. Additionally, the semi annual Kaleidoscope of Dance has delighted audiences since 1996.