Meet Our Keiki Teaching Staff
Miss Beth
Miss Beth has been a beloved part of the KDC ‘Ohana from day 1. Long before KDC opened its doors, many local families already knew her as a trusted and inspiring teacher.
We’ve been incredibly fortunate to have Miss Beth leading our young keiki program—she has been instrumental in shaping it into what it is today. With the grace of a true ballerina, she captivates our littlest dancers, many of whom dream of "being like Miss Beth" when they grow up.
She brings inspiration, warmth, and fun that make a lasting impact on every child she teaches.
Miss Danii
Miss Danii brings the perfect blend of warmth and inspiration to our mid-aged and older kids' classes. With her well-rounded dance background, she offers high-quality instruction across a wide range of styles—from jazz and hip hop to tap, ballet, and even yoga!
Many of our students look up to Miss Danii as a true role model. She creates a safe, supportive environment where dancers can build confidence, learn new skills, and challenge themselves to grow. Beyond technique, she teaches valuable life lessons like perseverance and hard work—and shows our dancers how those qualities pay off both in and out of the studio.
Miss Alisha
Miss Alisha is one of our newer additions to the teaching staff, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have her on the team. Some parents have already affectionately dubbed her the “keiki whisperer” thanks to her gentle, calming presence—even our most energetic little dancers find ease in her classes.
Her love of dance, especially ballet, is truly contagious and shines through in every class she teaches. She has a unique ability to connect with even our youngest dancers—some as young as one!
As a teacher, Miss Alisha understands that learning never stops. Her eagerness to grow, refine her skills, and explore new teaching techniques is a gift to our keiki program and a reflection of her deep commitment to her students.
Kumu Kehau
We were incredibly blessed when Kumu Kehau approached us about teaching hula at our studio. Her passion for sharing and educating others about Hawaiian culture through hula, ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi, storytelling, and more has been one of the greatest gifts to our KDC ʻohana.
Kumu Kehau is deeply committed to preserving Hawaiian traditions and making cultural knowledge accessible to all. Her dedication takes her across Maui, to neighboring islands, and beyond, as she continually seeks to expand her own knowledge to better serve our community.
We are honored to have her share her wisdom with our dancers.
Miss Rie
Miss Rie brings variety to our schedule with her ever-so-popular K-Pop/ Hip-Hop class! She always greets students with a bright smile and warm energy, working tirelessly to ensure every keiki feels comfortable and confident with their movements.
She started dancing to hip-hop/R&B back in Japan. Though she struggled to understand the English words, she loved the beat and rhythm of the music.
Though we only get to have her on staff during the Fall semester, her students eagerly await her return each year.
Miss Siera
Miss Siera is the newest addition to our teaching staff, and we couldn’t be more excited to welcome her to the team! She brings wonderful variety to our program with Intro to Acro Dance and Beginner Contemporary classes.
Miss Siera has lived on Maui for the past four years, where she works with keiki as an occupational therapist. Originally from Minnesota, she began dancing and practicing gymnastics at just four years old. She loves blending acro and gymnastics skills into multiple dance styles, including contemporary, lyrical, and jazz.
Come join these fun new classes and help us give a warm welcome to Miss Siera!
Meet Admin/Support Staff
Miss Natalie
The heart behind the hustle at KDC
Ever wonder who’s sending all those helpful emails and updates? That’s Miss Natalie—Studio Owner, Program Director, and the organizational engine behind Kihei Dance Connection!
Miss Natalie began dancing at the age of 5, following in the footsteps of her deeply rooted dance family. Her mother toured as a professional ballerina with a Swiss ballet company, performing roles such as one of the Three Big Swans in Swan Lake. Dance ran even further back—her grandparents were award-winning partner dancers.
Trained extensively in ballet and jazz, Miss Natalie developed a strong foundation in technique, particularly in the Vaganova method of ballet. Though she didn’t fit the traditional “ballet mold,” she carved her own path—one focused not on professional performance, but on education, mentorship, and community.
Today, Miss Natalie finds her greatest joy in curating a team of passionate and skilled instructors who help guide and inspire the youth of the Kihei community. While you might not see her on the keiki class schedule, she continues to teach adult ballet, jazz, lyrical, and West Coast Swing—and she’s always just a message away, supporting our families with enrollment, logistics, and studio magic behind the scenes.
Miss Kristi
We are so excited to have welcomed Miss Kristi to our team Fall ‘25 as our Enrollment Coordinator! She has been working as a lead teacher at the Makawao Drop-In Center with keiki ages 2.5-5, bringing with her a perfect combination of friendliness and organization.
Miss Kristi is highly intelligent, incredibly organized, and has wonderful people and communication skills – making her the ideal person to support our families during enrollment.
Her leadership skills and can-do attitude help get all those “behind-the-scene” tasks done. From enrollment help to performance venue research, and costume crisis resolutions and performance organizing, she helps with it all.
You might not see her too often, but when you do, make sure to give her a BIG mahalo for all her hard work.
