"What is the Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy?"

Founded by Rita & Brian O'Connor in 2002, The Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy is a 501-c3 charitable and educational non-profit organization whose purpose is to educate the public about Ballroom & Latin dancing through professionally instructed group classes and public performances. The Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy boasts Maui's ONLY Trained Dance Professional, Rita O'Connor, Professional Member & Competitor with the National Dance Council of America. The group classes and other dance privileges given by Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy are for Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy STUDENTS-ONLY, unless otherwise stated.

"Who are the students of Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy?"

People, like yourself, who have always dreamed of gliding across the floor like Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers or dancing to the latin beats in nightclubs! The Academy has newcomers, beginners, intermediate and advanced dance students. There are dancers who want to continue improving their dance skills, dancers who want to learn a new skill or dance & couples who enjoy an activity, which they can do together for mutual enjoyment & improved relationship skills. We have Kama'aina as well as island visitors -- primarily adults - but include students in their early teens through their active 90s!

"Does the money I pay to Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy stay in the Maui ohana?"

Yes, we are the ONLY non-profit ballroom dance association on Maui, which keeps the dance fees in Maui to further benefit the goals of the organization and it's students. All proceeds go towards enriching ballroom dance opportunities for Maui which include, but are not limited to: dance space rental for class and socials, insurance required by the County, office supplies, sound equipment, publicity, advertising, etc.

"What will my monetary donations (tax-deductible) be used for?"

The Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy is a charitable, 501-c3 non-profit organization which gives back to the community at-large, as well as the immediate dance community. The organization was created and functions on the donations of time and financial contributions by its students. All the officers and their helpers are volunteers and their relentless help has helped the Academy grow and prosper to the successful dance organization it is today!

Monetary Donations are applied to a variety of events beyond the group classes such as, but not limited to the enhancement of themed social dances, expansion of the music selection & supporting the organization's goals. These donations also afford the Academy discretionary monies to supply, purchase or reward the students, such as, but not limited to dance-related promotional items, partial contributions toward Academy student ticket purchases (to offset the student's cost) or complimentary gift certificates as awards. In addition, the Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy makes financial contributions to local Maui charities ranging from the Homeless Resource Centers, American Heart Association, The Children's Place of Wailuku and the Food Bank.

"What if I've never danced before?"

Social Ballroom & Latin dancing is for everyone and anyone who already knows how to walk! Everyone started as a beginner & remembers taking their first class where it seemed like everyone else already knew how to dance! Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy is the only non-profit organization offering a special Newcomer's session to give those new to Ballroom & Latin dancing a "quick-start" to the dance! For those new to dancing, there are weekly Peer-Assisted Review Sessions ("PARS") to help Newcomer's feel more comfortable with their newly acquired dance skills.

"What if I don't have a dance partner?"

Both dancers without partners, as well as couples are welcome to join our group classes. In class, when practicing the steps in partnership, we have those who want to stay with their preferred partner & those who are 1.) without a dance partner for the evening, 2.) do not have a steady dance partner or 3.) prefer to practice their social skills with different partners. For those without a partner, we encourage "rotation," whereby partners switch upon the direction of the Instructor. The Instructor makes a concerted effort to make sure that those without partners are dancing often!

"What is Rotation?"

Rotation is an excellent and widely accepted way to improve social dance skills, learn to dance with partners of different levels, and another way to meet new friends in the dance community! For more experienced dancers, rotation helps improve leading & following skills. Rotation is encouraged, but not required, and is a wonderful way to help share learned dance skills with others.

"What if I only want to take one class?"

As a non-profit, educational association, Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy makes professionally instructed group dance classes affordable for everyone! Currently, with one chapter (South Maui), group classes are on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 pm, with a 6:30 pm Student-run review session. There are two dance classes (7 pm & 8:10 pm) & three levels of dance; it is all under one dance "course." For the nominal $50.00 3-month dance course fee students may take one, two or all three sessions - that's up to you!

"What is the Referral Discount Program?"

Many times there are individuals who do not have a steady dance partner, so they dance in our Rotation section. Usually, there are more women than men who sign up for group classes. In an effort to encourage more individual men to learn how to dance, the Academy is offering a "Referral Discount." Current Academy students who refer an individual/solo man who, in turn, registers as an Academy Student for the current quarter, will receive a $5.00 discount coupon good toward the next quarter's group classes. A "current student," might be a woman, a man or a dance couple (who refers an individual/solo man). The Referee will receive the discount coupon when the individual/solo man registers as an Academy student. Only one (1) person will receive the coupon. The Referee's name must be listed on the individual/solo man's Registration Form to be eligible.

"Who are the instructors?"

Unique to Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy, your Instructor, Rita O'Connor is a Ballroom & Latin dance professional & an active Professional Member and Competitor of the National Dance Council of America. Along with her Assistant & husband, Brian, the O'Connors enjoy sharing their love of Latin & Ballroom dancing with others! While teaching Ballroom & Latin dancing in New York City, Rita met her husband Brian, when he signed up as a student for private dance lessons! In addition to Rita's numerous awards as an International Latin dancer, Rita's professional background includes being an Instructor at Pierre Dulaine's, NJ, Founder of the American Ballroom Theatre, as well as an Instructor, Pro-Am Competitor and Professional Competitor with Paul Pellicoro's DanceSport, NY and Stepping Out Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio, NY. Rita has appeared on TV ("Broadcast 9," "Good Morning America" and "MTV") and has danced in an instructional dance video. Rita is a Latin and Ballroom dance choreographer for solo exhibitions & team formations and she teaches individuals and couples in private dance lessons through her company "Private Image." Rita also holds college degrees in Fashion Design (Rutgers University, NJ and The Fashion Institute of Technology, NY) and is a Ballroom & Latin costume designer. Rita & Brian are the owners of Private Image Ballroom & Latin Dance Studio in Kihei. Rita teaches wedding couples, social dancers, singles and couples, performance routines and have coached Maui's top Amateur dance couples and competitors who regularly place top in the annual Hawaii Star Ball national dance competition in Oahu.

"What should I wear?"

Your safety and comfort are important aspects of dancing and footwear can play an important part. We recommend that you have shoes that are secured to your feet, so that they don't come off and you don't fall off or out of them. 'Slippas' and open back mules are not encouraged. For the ladies, both flats or high heels are appropriate. We also recommend that you have a smooth (leather or suede) bottom shoe that will allow your feet to swivel on the floor. Rubber soled shoes (especially those with treads) do not allow your feet to move freely, which is especially important while doing turns; shoes which don't allow foot action can result in twisted ankles, sore knees or lower back problems. Insofar as clothing, there is no dress code at The Academy, and we suggest you wear something that is comfortable and allows you freedom to move. Many students come from work, so it is not uncommon to see ladies in dresses or skirts and gentlemen in casual pants. Our facility is air conditioned, so you may want to take that into consideration also.

"What is the Peer-Assisted Review Session?"

The "Review Session" was created to give students additional dance practice time in the featured "Beginner Dance" for the quarter & an opportunity to ask questions that they might not feel comfortable asking in the larger group classes. Student Demonstration Assistants & Review Session Leaders, Dennis & Jenifer Gossvolunteer before the Beginner's class to help Newcomers practice their dancing skills.

"How long are each of the dance classes and PARS?"

Each Beginner'& Intermediate dance class is 50 minutes long, with ample time for a review of the previously learned dance steps in the quarter, a lesson in a new step & time to practice the new step. The Review Session is a 25 minute review of the Beginner level class only, conducted by select Students of Rita O'Connor. The Review Session is ideal for newcomers and novices alike.

"What is a "Review CLASS"?

A Review Class is scheduled during a dance course to review, practice & reinforce the dance steps learned to date for that dance course. It is open to current students only.

"How can I become more involved with the growing success of the Academy?"

The Academy's growth is based on students, like yourself, volunteering to assist in small and large ways to help promote ballroom & latin dancing in Maui! Every little bit helps and it is through the volunteering efforts of its students over the past four years that the Academy has become the state of Hawaii's largest and most successful dance organization. Whether you can help out at one event, or assist with behind-the-scenes work, or be part of our maintenance team, or any one of a variety of other functions, there is a need for your help! Or you may want to make a difference by creating and shaping policies of the Academy by becoming an Officer (with perks like free private lessons, free semi-formal Ball tickets, free group classes, etc.)   Be a part of our success!

"What is proper Dance Etiquette?"

The Academy offers these guidelines and strongly encourages all students to follow them for the maximum comfort and enjoyment of all dancers.

1. Respect and Communication. Everyone has unique personal boundaries and this should be respected in partnership dancing. Dancers are encouraged to communicate with their partner to establish a comfortable partnership. This communication is especially important when students are rotating or have different partners.
2. Frame & Dance Hold. In general, it is the ladies choice of how close to stand to her partner. Men set their frame, then, the ladies set their frame and the partnership distance where they are comfortable. We use 'social dance position' distance (space in between the couple, connected through the arms and hands only) for Latin dances. Smooth dances can be danced at the 'social' distance or body-to-body if both people in the partnership choose. If the lady chooses to dance in a more open social frame, we ask the gentlemen to please respect that distance. Of course, if the man is uncomfortable with any frame, he should also communicate this to his partner.
3. Connection. All connections with a dance partner should be in a 'prayer-like' (very light pressure) hold. There is never any need to squeeze or grip your partner, or pull them in close or use a pushing action to 'lead' them. A tight grip or pulling in of a partner can make many people feel uncomfortable or unsafe and can be harmful. All dance communication should be done with very light action. During demonstrations or instruction of the dance, students do not need to hold onto their partner. It is a good idea to relax and stand apart, while each person focuses on the instruction given, until it is time to dance together again.
4. Rotation. Everyone is allowed the option to rotate partners if they wish. There is no need to pull a partner out of rotation. If this should happen and you wish to stay in rotation, please let the person know and step back into the line of rotation.
5. Accepting a Dance. Everyone who is asked to dance has the option to say "yes" or "no, thank you" and their choice should be respected. It is polite to always answer courteously because an offer to dance is a gracious offer.

The Academy wishes to provide a fun and comfortable environment for everyone. We know this can sometimes be tricky in Ballroom and Latin dancing as partnership dancing is a "contact sport," so to speak. We hope that no one takes any choice made by another personally because it is simply each person's unique comfort level and acceptable boundaries.

If for any reason, there is a concern that your communication is not working for you or is difficult for you to express, the Academy Officers and Instructors are here to help. Please feel free to talk to any of us. It is the Academy's practice to maintain confidentiality. Many individual and personal issues can arise when we partnership dance and the Academy will try to help so everyone is free to learn, dance and enjoy!

"Who are the officers of the South Maui Chapter of Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy?"

The officers of the South Maui Chapter are all volunteer students who are dance enthusiasts instrumental in helping their chapter of Aloha Ballroom Dance Academy prosper according to the goals of the organization & the wishes of the chapter's student body.

Officers for 2008:

Julie Katz - President
Juan Dawson - Vice President
Keoki Sousa - Vice President
Lynette Zakabi - Vice President
Cindy Dawson - Treasurer
Sally Goodness - Asst. Treasurer
Marty-Jean Bender - Secretary
Rosie Alexander - Asst. VP

Dance Course Fees
Aloha Fund
Guest Rates
How to Volunteer
Dance Etiquette