About the Director
Jill Tanioka-Yuen opened Dance Junction Hawaii in 2005 fulfilling her lifelong dream to run her own dance studio. As a child, Jill danced for ten years with
Drill Team Hawaii and was a member of the select "Showteam." In the ninth grade, she began teaching and choreographing for DTH before moving on to dance
as a Rainbow Dancer at the University of Hawaii where she received her Bachelor's Degree in Sociology.
In 1994, Jill began teaching dance and gymnastics at Iolani School where she remained for ten years. While there, the Iolani Dance Team traveled to Nationals
twice and were awarded several national titles. During her time at Iolani, Jill won numerous choreography awards for her work with the dance team.
Among her accomplishments are several solo and team titles as a dancer as well as many national and international awards as a director, coach, and
choreographer. Jill has performed at the Laker's exhibition games, the Macy's Day Parade, Pro Bowl, Hula Bowl, Aloha Bowl and throughout the United States.
Jill is married to Fred Yuen, a musician and consultant for special needs children. They have a son, Coby, who is four years old.
About the Instructors
Miss Jill teaches classes Tuesdays through Saurdays and choreographs for classes and the company. Lyndsey Arakawa, a Sophomore at UH and Rainbow Dancer,
assists Miss Jill with the Saturday classes and helps choreograph for the company. Lyndsey has danced for twelve years and has been a student of Miss Jill's at Iolani
and Dance Junction. She is trained in jazz, ballet, hip hop, hula, and Tahitian and has performed and competed with her team and as a soloist winning
numerous championships. Lyndsey has been a title holder twice at American Dance/Drill Team USA and twice at Spotlight. She has also been a finalist at MA Dance
Nationals and Miss Dance Drill Team International. Lyndsey graduated from Iolani in 2008 and was a national merit finalist. Laura Kagami, a sophomore in high school
also assists Miss Jill with Saturday classes and has represented DJH as a soloist at Nationals.
Lauren-Nicole Muraoka joins Dance Junction as a hip hop instructor. Lauren danced for Miss Jill at Iolani before attending USC. While in college, Lauren joined
Chaotic Three, a USC hip hop crew, where she performed and competed before earning the coveted coordinator position. Lauren brings her strong style and
background in hip hop along with years of training in jazz, ballet, hula, and Tahitian to Dance Junction beginning this Fall.
About the Company
Currently, Dance Junction Hawaii has a Sr company comprised of three teams: the silver squad (High School team), black squad (Jr. High team),
and the turquoise squad (Alums). DJH has also begun incorporating students into a Jr. company for elementary aged dancers and will continue to invite more young
students to join over the next two years. The company's motto is "Believe." The studio's colors are turquoise, silver, and black.
About the Dancers
Each team member is commited to excellence both in dance and in their personal lives. Nearly all are on the Headmaster's List in school for having outstanding
grades. Many dancers also find time to do community service projects and volunteer work throughout the State. Team members belong to the National Key Club
and have received National Merit awards as well as placed in the Jr. Miss Pageant. Several dancers also serve as officers and student counsel members at their schools.
Many dancers have taken classes at the Edge Studio in Hollywood, CA as well attending workshops by top choreographers. Nearly all Dance Junction alumni dance
at their prospective colleges and Robyn Yamakawa also choreographs for Middlebury College.
| | Events
10/31/09 Lunalilo Fair 11:30am 11/7/09 Maryknoll Luau 3:30pm 11/27/09 Waikiki Holiday Parade 7:00pm 12/18/09 DJH Christmas performance 4:30pm 12/19/09 DJH Christmas Party 6:00pm 12/21/09 HipHop workshop with Marisa 1/10/10 Ala Moana Centerstage 12:00 2/5/10 HPU Basketball Halftime at NBC 2/6/10 Chinatown Performance 7:30pm 3/13/10 Competition 3/14/10 Honolulu Festival performance 12:00 Convention center- main stage 4/9-4/10/10 Competition 6/19/10 5th Annual Showcase at Paliku Theatre 5:00pm 6/22 Tryouts for Jr High and High School 3:30-4:45 Moiliili Community Center 6/23 Tryouts for elementary 3:30-4:45 Moiliili Community Center |