1995's

Danced From: 1995-2026 

What they're up to now: Sarah Izumi started dancing at age 3 in 1995 as a starfish with two of her life long friends, Toni and Joy. She currently lives in Houston with her two sons, Kerry and Corey. Sarah is the general Manager of the SaltGrass restaurant chain and looks forward to opening HDS in Texas someday. 

Danced From: 1995-2026 

What they're up to now: Toni Murakami began dancing with Honolulu Dance Studio in 1995 at age three. Dance was central to her upbringing, discipline, character, and lifelong friendships. Today, she is an esthetician in Honolulu and remains deeply thankful for the foundation Honolulu Dance Studio provided.

Danced From: 1996-2006 

What they're up to now: After living and performing in LA for 18 years, I moved back to Hawaiʻi in 2024. In my 18 years I performed at Disneyland on stage shows from 2008-2016, traveled for performances in Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. In 2018 I began teaching for Disneyland’s performing arts program and currently travel back to California a couple times a year to teach at the parks. Married my wonderful husband Derrick in 2021 and when we moved home we rescued the cutest pup, Kalea. I currently work in Hawaiʻi for Maui Divers Jewelry in the Marketing & Photography department. 

A fond memory of dance: In 2004, a group of us went to a dance convention in LA for the first time, Dance Excellence. This event changed my life and I’m so grateful that we had the opportunity to experience this event as I have never missed one since 2004. I assisted multiple Master Teachers from 2007-2023 and in 2024, just before we moved back to Hawaiʻi, I had the honor of becoming a Master Teacher.

Danced From: 1996/7-2010

What they're up to now: Married with kids and living the corporate life, but still being asked “Can you do a dance?” by random people.

Fun Fact: Unexpectedly (it’s a long story), I ended up getting married on the rooftop of Restaurant Row. For those of us dancing when the studio was at the Waterfront Towers, if we weren’t in class, Restaurant Row was the place to be!

Danced From: 1998-2012

What they're up to now: Love my little family!

A fond memory of dance: Some of my best core memories & lifelong friendships were made at the Studio. I am forever grateful for Ms.Cathy, Miss.Elizabeth, and Jared for creating a place we can call home through all of life’s seasons.  

Danced From: 1998-2026

What they're up to now: Derrick Izumi made his performance debut in a stroller at the 1996 concert and danced with the Velocity Team growing up. He earned a full scholarship to La Roche University, where he met his wife, Renee. Both toured with Bodyography Ballet for seven years. Derrick is now a dancing financial advisor in Pittsburgh.

Danced From: 1998-2026

What they're up to now: I live in Northern Michigan now with my husband, daughter (who also dances!), 2 dogs and 2 cats. I’m an RN at our local hospital and teach hip hop for a local studio. 

Dance saved my life. HDS/BDH taught me who I was and helped me find my voice. There are not enough words to thank all my teachers and entire dance family there. You all have shaped who I am and helped me find, nurture and share my true purpose in this life.

Danced From: 1999-2026

What they're up to now: Jaylin started dancing at Honolulu Dance Studio (HDS) when she was four years old and continued to dance there until she graduated high school in 2012. After high school, HDS gave Jaylin the opportunity to teach Jazz and Hip Hop Level 1 and eventually led their Keiki Training Company until the 2020 pandemic. Jaylin graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa with her Bachelor of Science in Human Development & Family Studies and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She got her Graduate Certificate in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University and taught public education for 7 years before becoming the current Curriculum and Programs Officer at the Pacific & Asian Affairs Council. She still enjoys dancing weekly with her Tuesday Night Adult Hip Hop Crew!

A fond memory of dance: Ms. Cathy: Thank you for loving all of us unconditionally as if we were your own children. You are our dance mom for life!

Ms. Elizabeth: Thank you for teaching us discipline in the most caring way; you shaped my work ethic forever!

Jared: Thank you for your kind heart and creative soul. You gave us the most fire comp numbers that got us all the way to many nationals and finals platforms!