[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ inner_shadow=”on” fullwidth=”on” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#f7efe3″ custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”Message” subhead=”…from our Founder” background_overlay_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.5)” content_max_width=”none” title_font_color=”#e87e78″ subhead_font_color=”#e87e78″ _builder_version=”4.16″ title_font=”Dancing Script||||” title_text_color=”#e87e78″ title_font_size=”48px” subhead_font=”Lato Light||||” subhead_text_color=”#e87e78″ subhead_font_size=”28px” background_color=”rgba(255, 255, 255, 0)” background_image=”http:\/\/whdt.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/ballerinas1140.jpg” background_url=”http:\/\/whdt.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/ballerinas1140.jpg” button_one_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing_hover=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”0″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ specialty=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”http:\/\/whdt.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/vh-300×214.jpg” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|desktop” _builder_version=”4.16″ animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_duration=”500ms” animation_intensity_slide=”10%” animation=”left” sticky=”off” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” always_center_on_mobile=”on” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
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The Big Island of Hawaii is one of the most spiritual, creative, nurturing places on our planet. Artists are drawn here to fulfill their mission and help raise the consciousness of the earth.<\/em><\/p>\n In 1989, a small group of professional dance artists, new to the Big Island, recognized a need in the community. Their idea was to introduce many different diverse forms of dance and theatre arts, providing a complement to the traditional hula, which is at the heart of Hawaiian culture.<\/em><\/p>\n The first pioneering effort was offering classical ballet classes for all ages and abilities. Alan and Susan Grodzinsky, then owners of the Aloha Theater in Kainaliu, offered their space to hold the classes. Hand written signs were posted around town and within a week, students were flocking to the theatre to participate. We are forever grateful to Alan and Susan for providing us that opportunity!<\/em><\/p>\n An \u201cArtists-in-the-Schools\u201d grant came soon after, and West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy was fully launched. In addition to the ballet class, our group of six adventurous dance artists from varied backgrounds created a 45-minute narrated performance entitled “Adventures in Dance.” This performance toured to schools across the island. We danced in gymnasiums, cafeterias, on the lawn, in the rain–anywhere that was available. Our community was now exposed to classical ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, pantomime, and African dance, with most all of the attendees experiencing new art forms for the first time.<\/em><\/p>\n From these humble beginnings, WHDTA has grown into a multi-faceted organization. We provide year-round, daily educational classes in multiple dance disciplines, outreach programs, workshops, and guest instructor residencies, including performance opportunities and a venue for returning and guest professionals.<\/em><\/p>\n West Hawaii Dance Theatre & Academy is proud of their many students who have gone on to professional careers in dance and degrees from colleges. The disciplined training has helped all those who have gone through our doors to discover and accomplish their life work with grace and self- esteem. Former WHDTA students are returning to WHDTA, teaching, performing, “giving back” and nurturing our next generation.<\/em><\/p>\n Moving forward, we are drawing from the knowledge we have gained over the years, to bring you the most quality, up-to-date dance education you can find anywhere,<\/em><\/p>\n We invite you to come join our dance ‘ohana so you can experience the joy & creativity for yourself!<\/em><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_cta button_url=”http:\/\/whdt.org\/class-schedule\/” button_text=”View Our Class Schedule” _builder_version=”4.16″ use_background_color=”off” background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” background_layout=”light” use_border_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}” button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off”][\/et_pb_cta][\/et_pb_column_inner][\/et_pb_row_inner][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” disabled_on=”off|off|off” admin_label=”Standard Footer” _builder_version=”4.18.0″ background_color=”#f7efe3″ background_image=”http:\/\/whdt.org\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/01_example.jpg” custom_padding=”0px||0px|” custom_padding_tablet=”50px|0|50px|0″ custom_padding_phone=”” transparent_background=”off” padding_mobile=”off” make_fullwidth=”off” use_custom_width=”off” width_unit=”on” global_module=”1375″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.19.2″ text_text_color=”#f7efe3″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” use_border_color=”off” border_color=”#ffffff” border_style=”solid” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n