Fun and fusion

Young dancers learn the Tau technique

STORY SUMMARY »

Keiki dancers are the newest addition to Tau Dance Theater's modern dance troupe. More than a dozen girls are performing in Tau (y2), under artistic director Peter Rockford Espiritu.

The offshoot group was established as a feeder school for the adult company, according to Espiritu, who hopes to expand the company statewide.

Parents might not have realized it when they brought their kids to audition for Tau (y2), but they were auditioning, too. "We wanted them to understand that they need to be an integral part of their child's experience," Espiritu said. "We are not here to baby-sit."

Parents must have caught on. At rehearsals, those who are not watching or snapping photographs, are busy putting finishing touches on costumes.

Camille Lee was among the parents tying ribbons to netting that would be worn on the young dancers' arms. The sleeves will give the costumes a forestlike appearance. "I've helped with the costumes and hope to be able to help them more," Lee said. "This is a great opportunity for the young girls."

The elaborate costumes are created using an array of materials found at department and craft-supply stores. Garbage bags are important, too -- used as one of the main components in hula skirts for one number. Espiritu came up with the idea of using white trash bags to resemble the traditional pa'u skirt and kupe'e ankle and wrist decor.

Lee has been impressed with what her 10-year-old daughter, Jaclyn, has gained. "When the girls are dancing and happy, you can see the joy coming from their body. ... It gives the dance more expression and feel."

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"Mission Impossible" was Kamakoa Page's initial impression of Tau (y2). Page began working with the children in the youth performance group, ages 6 to 15, about four months ago in preparation for the Hawaii-Japan Youth Exchange Concert. The keiki were required to learn four dance styles and blend them into choreographed pieces much as their adult counterparts do in the Tau Dance Theater company.

TAU (Y2) Appearing at the Fourth Annual Hawaii-Japan Youth Exchange & Choreographers' Slam Concert » On stage: 7:30 p.m. Friday » Place: Kauai Community College, Performing Arts Center » Tickets: $20, $15 students, seniors and military » Call: 245-2733, e-mail giac@hawaiilink.net or visit www.taudance.org

"Many of the kids had no prior dance experience," Page said. "I felt like the Iron Chef, with little amounts of time to do something impossible."

Peter Rockford Espiritu established the offshoot so kids could learn what Tau Dance is based upon: dance with a Hawaiian flavor that blends hula, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance. Page described it as a "mixed plate," a fusion of cultures.

"It's unusual for a child to take two different genres in the same dance class. We are trying to give them choices and tools," Espiritu added.

Not to mention, Espiritu is grooming future adult members. "Almost every company throughout the world has a feeder school. Kids learn and understand the techniques that make Tau what it is," he said. "I can't dance forever -- hopefully, the kids will eventually become company dancers."

He plans to expand the company statewide, noting that dancers could be found in more remote areas of the islands. "They may have seen ballet but may not have seen it mixed with hula. We are missing the boat if we don't expose these kids."

Espiritu considers himself the "ultimate dictator" for Tau Dance, and although the youth class is more lighthearted and fun, the emphasis on technique has the same high standards of the adult troupe. The kids receive life lessons -- including discipline, work ethic and personal space -- using the arts, he explained. "I want them to have fun, but they need to be serious about the craft."

Page is extremely proud of what the new dancers have accomplished. "Ballet has unnatural movements, movements that take years to learn. It's really amazing, and the audience probably won't know that they have only been dancing for four months."

Eleven-year-old Hannah Sinclair has been dancing since she was 3 and aspires to become a dance teacher. "Our teachers are creative and good with costumes. Our hula skirts were made out of garbage bags," she said. "The different varieties of dances make good opportunities for performing."

A team of instructors guides the young dancers, including Espiritu (artistic director), Page (ballet/modern), Calvin Marques Jr. (jazz/hip-hop/modern) and Frank Ka'anana Akima (hula).

"We all have something to offer this world," Espiritu said. "We celebrate what they do best."

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Dance Rehearsal with Tau (Y2)

Keiki dance troupe Tau (Y2), an offshoot of Peter Rockford Espiritu's Tau Dance Theater, practices at Dole Cannery for an upcoming performance. Video by Jason Genegabus.