Story by the Punahou Dance School
Celebrating Punahou Dance School 2025 – 2026 Competition Dancers
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the dedication, artistry, and accomplishments of our Punahou Dance School competition teams. From early March through the end of May, our dancers committed themselves to a season of focused training, rehearsals, performances, and competitions, demonstrating their passion, perseverance, and love for dance.
This season, we celebrated the achievements of our:
• YAGP Soloists
• Dance Team
• Mini Dance Team
• Petite Dance Team
• Street Crew
• Team/Crew Soloists
• Team Small Group
Our dancers represented Punahou Dance School at:
• Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP)
• Starpower
• JUMP Dance Convention & Competition
• 808 Battleground
Throughout the season, these dancers challenged themselves to grow as artists, refine their technique, strengthen their performance skills, and support one another as a team. Their commitment and dedication were evident in every rehearsal, performance, and competition stage.
While awards are not the reason we dance, we are incredibly proud of the recognition our dancers received this season. Each accomplishment reflects the hard work, preparation, and growth they demonstrated throughout their journey.
Most importantly, we are proud of the way our dancers represented Punahou Dance School – with artistry, professionalism, teamwork, and aloha. Congratulations to all of our dancers on an incredible competition season!
2025 – 2026 Competition Awards & Accomplishments:
Youth America Grand Prix (February 2026)
(Irvine, CA & Virtual)
• Three students received scholarships: Katie Hayashi ’32, Calista Kaneshige ’28, and Sophia Foster ’26
Starpower Dance Competition (February 2026)
(Honolulu, HI)
• 1st Place — Ages 15–19 Competitive Small Group (Dance Team Small Group)
• 1st Place — Ages 9–11 Showcase Solo (Katie Hayashi ’32)
• 2nd Place — Ages 9–11 Showcase Solo (Chelsea Saegusa ’33)
• 3rd Place — Ages 9–11 Showcase Solo (Nanami Gilbert ’32)
• 4th Place — Ages 9–11 Showcase Solo (Sarah Takahashi ’32)
• 6th Place — Ages 9–11 Showcase Solo (Arlo Watanabe ’33)
• 1st Place — Ages 12–14 Showcase Solo (Emillee Hayakawa ’31)
• 1st Place — Ages 15–19 Showcase Solo (Maddie Ambrosewicz ’29)
• 2nd Place — Ages 15–19 Showcase Solo (Calista Kaneshige ’28)
• 2nd Place — Ages 15–19 Competitive Solo (Karysa Lee ’29)
World Dance Competition (July 2026)
(New Jersey)
• Team Small Group — Top Five Finalist Competitive 15-19 Small Groups
JUMP Dance Convention & Competition (May 2026)
(Honolulu, HI)
• Petite Dance Team — 3rd Place Overall in Mini Jazz
• Mini Dance Team & Dance Team — 2nd Place in Teen Production & 3rd Place Overall in Teen Jazz
• Street Crew — Best of JUMP Award
JUMP Individual Recognition:
• Top Ten Mini Solos — Chelsea Saegusa ’33
• Mini JUMP VIP Runner-Up Scholarships — Chelsea Saegusa ’33 & Arlo Watanabe ’33
• Junior JUMP VIP Runner-Up Scholarship — Olive Shea ’31
• Teen JUMP VIP Runner-Up Scholarships — Karysa Lee ’29 & Dallas Sagocio ’30
• Tap Class Scholarship — Sarah Takahashi ’32
• Jazz/Contemporary/Lyrical Class Scholarships — Kayliah Doran ’32, Scarlett Lim ’29, Chloe Loff ’32, Lyla Teruya ’34
• Ballet Class Scholarships — Emillee Hayakawa ’31, Natsuko Nagai ’32, Caitlyn Prather ’31, Summer Schumacker ’35
• Ballroom Class Scholarship — Leighton Akabane ’31 & Scarlett Shibasaki ’32
• Rock Star Dancer Award — Chloe Loff ’32
808-Battleground (April 2026)
(Blaisdell Center, Honolulu, HI)
• Street Crew — First private school team to compete at 808-Battleground
Mahalo to our dancers, families, teachers, and supporters for being part of this memorable season.