24/7 Danceforce
24/7 Danceforce was founded in 1991 by Marcelo Pacleb. It started in a small, two-window room in the Mapunapuna area. Back then, only two dance classes were offered weekly.
24/7 Danceforce is now a non-profit organization, located in Kaneohe, Hawaii, with students and dancers representing communities across the entire State. 24/7 Danceforce is dedicated to offering a high quality dance education program in a supportive and nurturing environment.
Our approach to dance education develops attributes that will be of value to all students throughout their lifetime such as discipline, self-respect, self-confidence, creativity, self-expression and imagination. Our take on dance education also instills appreciation for music, dance, and other art forms.
We provide opportunities for our dancers to perform out in the community and in professionally produced concerts during the year. They also have an opportunity to participate in dance workshops and competitions, both locally and nationally – World of Dance, JUMP!, Urban Jamm, Tremaine’s, to name a few – and have consistently earned top awards.
Many of our students have gone on to perform professionally with well-known artists such as Lady Gaga, Janet Jackson, J Lo, Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, the Pussycat Dolls and on Broadway with Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera, The King and I, Aladdin, Miss Saigon, and Wicked.
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Ethan Capone
A dynamic and free-spirited pianist with jazzy technique, Ethan Capone plays the piano with his heart and soul. He fully immerses himself in the music he plays, and his beautiful modern touch makes you want to sing. Ethan has a way of bringing out the best in vocalists, other instrumentalists, and anyone sharing the stage with him.
He currently resides in Hawaii, and has collaborated with the top artists there including Paula Fuga, Mike Love, Kimie Miner, and Henry Kapono. Ethan played on several tracks for Henry’s “The Songs of C&K” album release, which won the 2019 Na Hoku Award for Compilation Album of the Year. Ethan’s playing has also been featured on albums for artists across the Pacific, like New Zealand’s Pere Wihongi, San Diego’s Jarred Matthew from The Voice, and San Jose’s DeAndre Brackensick from American Idol.
Serving as Musical Director for several shows and productions, Ethan enjoys producing and arranging for both large and small ensembles.
Fun fact: Ethan’s mother was a piano teacher and his father a piano technician, so there is undoubtedly a deep love for piano in the family.
Sequoia Carr-Brown
Sequoia Carr-Brown is a choreographer, company dancer, and international artist with: Giinko Marischino, Ramm Dance, The Spinning Goats, and Wai Company. She’s the Creative Dance Director for the Honolulu Broadway Babies/J..E.T.H. Continuing Education and Performing Arts School. She is also director or her own performance art company, StRaNgE FrUiT XPrEsS.
Recent performances include: "Make Wrong Right" with Giinko Marischino at Honolulu Biennial 2019, Kristian Lei Enterprises, “Circle of Life” with 24/7 DanceForce, “Noli Me Tangere”, and “Aloha on a Mission”, “Kathyrn Waddell Takara’s, “Footprints, Wings, Phantasms”, The Spinning Goats, “Memory House:Dreams and “A Slow Awakening”. She’s most recently performed in the Palikū Arts Festival: “The Art of Climate Change”, and Peiling Kao's, “Integral Bodies” at Kennedy Theatre.
Sequoia has performed in Asia, Europe, and the Hawaiian Islands. While studying in Europe, Sequoia served as co-president of The Association of Fine Arts.
Her signature work, “Constructed: Red, White, and Blue” received full news coverage and thoughtful reviews. Sequoia is also a former dance coordinator with the GirL Fest/Safe Zone Honolulu Foundation.
More of her performances include: StRaNgE FrUiT XPrEsS’, “AnaRexa” at Sunset on the Beach, “Nigga of the World”, and “The P-Word” at The Vagina Monologues, Hawaii Theatre, and Melissa Teodoro's, "No Mas", and Pilobolus', Daryl Thomas', "Girl Tribe".
Past performances include: Passport Productions, “Songs of the Season” and “The Art +The Ink", Spatial Sculptors, “Framed”, IONA’S, “Paint by Number”, “DOMINION”, “La Madonna”, NETPAC/ UHM/ Doris Duke Foundation, “Salesi”, Convergence Dance Theatre’s, “This and That” and “Finding Shelter”, and Peiling Kao/Jhalak Miller & Friends.
Sequoia created a painting as dancers moved on a scrolling 120 x 40 canvas, “Bailar de Brasil”. It was displayed in the University of Hawai’i Dance Building for over two years. She has exhibited works in the UHM Commons Gallery, Arts at Mark’s, Honolulu, Galerie Bilderbücher, Amberg, Germany, Still and Moving Center Honolulu, The Loading Zone, Honolulu, and Fest de Corps in Poitier, France.
Sequoia is the founder of StRaNgE FrUiT XPrEsS, whose mission is to engage the community through workshops, art installations and performance art pieces designed to encourage education and empowerment. SFXP also enjoys creating for art’s sake. www.strangefruitxpress.com
Sequoia is honored to collaborate with Music Director, Kristian Lei as the Dance Director for Honolulu's first Veterans Summit, June 21-22. On June 29th, she will perform at The Impact Hub for the “Jazz and Afro Futurism” production. Sequoia is currently training for a dance festival with The Spinning Goats. This July, they will be performing and teaching in the Seoul International Dance Festival in Tank. https://ingdance.kr/41
Willow Chang
Willow Chang is committed to the creative process, learning experience & sacred practice.
A life-long singer & dancer, her multi-disciplined approach has taken her to teach & perform locally, as well the U.S., Canada, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
A classically trained singer, she cut her teeth in honor choir, madrigals & playing handbells! She’s known as a Jazz singer/song stylist, but loves any genre of music with a good melody & heartfelt message. Recently, she taught the joy of music to keiki, K-5th grade. For over 25 years she's been singing American songbook & Jazz, and is the lead vocalist for The Hot Club of Hulaville.
Willow also spent the past 25 years focused on Middle Eastern/Northern African dances, after studying Hula for 10 years. Concurrently, she delved into world dance, studying Classical Indian Dances, Butoh, Argentine Tango, Flamenco, Bollywood, Balinese & Modern. She’s internationally recognized as a Middle Eastern dance artist, with her emotive, elegant dance, spot-on musicality & couture costumes of her own design. Her theatrical dance integrate movement & feelings, marrying the psychological with storytelling, creating in a body of work she’s performed for over 10 years.
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Derek Daniels
Derek Daniels is an entertainer extraordinaire! A self-made, true entrepreneur, business man, president/owner of Derek Daniels Productions and Entertainment Company. Derek has traveled, lived and worked professionally around the world in the entertainment industry for over thirty-seven years. From stage, to film, television, fashion, music, and a plethora of theatrical performances, Derek Daniels is a producer, director, choreographer, dancer, singer, actor, costume and make-up designer. Derek Daniels is the full package!
Mr. Daniels has an extensive and global resume with credits including…
CATS on Broadway, Las Vegas Cabaret, the TV series FAME, Cirque Du Soleil, lead dancer at the Moulin Rouge in Paris, France, The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow, Russia, lead in the Rocky Horror Picture Show, and eight years with Grace Jones as back-up singer, dancer, choreographer, and personal assistant.
He has recently worked and performed for The Greatest Showman himself, "Hugh Jackman” as well as with Elton John, Boy George, Salt-N-Pepa, The Pet Shop Boys, Jean-Paul Gaultier, and Dwayne "The Rock” Johnson.
Monnette Forte
Monnette Forte is a voice and piano teacher and performer.
She is the music director, vocalist and pianist at the Hickam Chapel Catholic Chapel.
In the Philippines she was associated with the Repertory Company of the Philippines among other theater companies as a music and/or choir director, orchestra conductor, and voice coach.
Most important of all Monnette is a widow of the late Lt/Col Frederick Forte of the US Air Force.
Samuel Hesch
Staff Sergeant-Retired Samuel Hesch is an Army Veteran and former vocalist and musician with the 111th Army Band, Hawaii National Guard and a proud Alumni of the U. S. Army Soldier Show.
He can be found singing locally at Weddings, Parties, Official functions and at UH Sporting events. He currently sings and cantors at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in Ewa Beach.
Le Fetuao Samoan Language Center
The Le Fatuao Samoan Language Center is a 501c3 non-profit organization. It is a community-based service program designed to provide young Samoan children with an opportunity to learn their heritage language and culture utilizing interactive, hands-on, and culturally relevant strategies. Strong partnerships have been established with the University of Hawai'i Samoan Language and Culture Program, churches and local businesses.
These partnerships are closely involved with the community in the planning, implementation, and on-going assessment.
The school is operated by community members, parents, and volunteers.
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Kristian Lei
Hawaii-International Singer-songwriter, Kristian Lei has starred in many roles such as Kim from Miss Saigon-Germany, Princess Nala and Rafiki in the Festival of the Lion King-Hong Kong, Tuptim in the "King and I," TiMoune in Philippine Tour of Once on This Island, and is currently starring as Kei in MVT-Hawaii Premiere of "Allegiance the Musical," at the Hawaii Theatre.
Kristian released 2 Na Hoku Hanohano Award-nominated CDs entitled "Take My Hand" and "On a Personal Note." She is also the Founder of Non-Profit Organization Honolulu Broadway Babies and JETH School of Continuing Education and Performing Arts, in dedication to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
When not performing, Kristian Lei is a Feature Film/TV and Professional Vocal Coach. She is also known for her 16 years of Producing, Directing and Headlining Concerts, Corporate and Special Events Statewide. In 2017, she was honored as one of FOX KHON 2's top 5 Influential Filipinos in Hawaii.
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Eirika Leialoha
Eirika Leialoha is a 21 year old Filipina born and raised in Kapolei, Hawai`i. She is an experienced entertainer with 17 years under her belt performing for various productions.
Eirika is currently enrolled at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada and also studies voice under Monette Forte. Eirika aspires to be a well-rounded artist that advocates for others and provides service to society while sharing the beauty of cultures all around the world.
This summer she is in Hawai’i performing and honing her talent.
Kiana Luna
Kiana Luna is an International Singer, Songwriter, Dancer, and Performing Artist. Kiana was born and raised in the mountains of Japan, then moved to her mother’s homeland of Hawaii in 1999. She began composing piano music at age 11, guitar and vocal music when she was 16, and has since, self-produced 8 albums of almost all original Pop, World, and Ambient/Classical music.
She has toured across Europe and Japan as a solo artist, opening for acts like the Gipsy Kings, and continues to perform around the Hawaiian islands, sharing her passion for connecting with people through the unifying and healing nature of music.
Official Website:
Facebook Music Page:
www.Facebook.com/KianaLunaMusic
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/KianaLunaMusic
Show Schedules, Lyrics, Free Downloads, Bios:
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“Little Albert” Maligmat
“Little Albert” Maligmat, multi-talented vocalist and instrumentalist, performed with his family band, The Rocky Fellers, at the age of seven, opening for great legendary artists such as Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., George Burns, Carol Channing, Dean Martin and Jerry Lewis, Rich Little, Phyllis Diller, Joan Rivers, and Flip Wilson among others.
The Rocky Fellers’s album “Killer Joe” was a #1 recording hit with Scepter recording label in 1963.
The band performed at the famed Apollo Theater with Stevie Wonder, Patty Labelle and the Blue Belles, The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, The Cherelles, and The Four Tops.
Other performances include with groups The Society of Seven, The Mob, Liz Damon and the Orient Express, and his own Little Albert’s Workshop.
His television appearances include Dinah Shore, Ed Sullivan, Jack Benny, and Jackie Gleason.
Julius Mina
Julius Mina is best known for his numerous appearances on stage for prestigious events Statewide. The Tenor and Actor appeared as Padre Salvi in the Hawaii and US Debut cast of Noli Me Tangere.
Other island-wide local theatrical credits include of Miss Saigon, The Secret Garden as Fakir, A Little Night Music as Mr. Erlanson, Once On This Island as Armand, Guys & Dolls as Nicely Nicely Johnson, and Jesus Christ Superstar as a priest. He is also a long-time volunteer and Managing Director for Honolulu Broadway Babies, sings with Muzic Drive Entertainment and has been a featured singer in various Filipino concert and community events.
Julius holds a BA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Business from UH Manoa and works for JTB Hawaii by day. He is the proud song of a Navy Veteran, Lito Mina.
David Mark Minasian
David Mark Minasian is a professor of music at Leeward College and adjunct professor of trumpet for the University of Hawaii, Manoa. He has been a featured soloist and lecturer on trumpet pedagogy at music conferences around the world. As a free-lance artist in Hawaii, he has performed with the Hawaii Symphony, Hawaii Opera Theater Orchestra, Bach Chamber Music Orchestra of Honolulu and is often heard performing as part of the Diamond Head Theater Orchestra or with various big bands around Oahu.
Spatial Sculptors
Spatial Sculptors is an ensemble built in a dance jam practice environment in which dancers and movers from diverse practices can engage in the forms of contact improvisation and/or compositional dance improvisation with whomever gathers - from the experienced to the novice.
Our Ensemble and structures developed in the studio In twice a month jams beginning in 2013. We aimed to foster a retreat wherein dancers and other movers can practice for any portion of the jam or take a rejuvenating period to observe/photograph/video/draw and otherwise reflect on what is happening in the improvised structures.
Out of this grew the ensemble and various performance pieces.
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Major Ramon Sumibcay
Major Ramon Sumibcay is a registered nurse and retired from the US military service having served both the US Navy and US Army.
Ramon earned his bachelor’s degree in nursing from Norfolk State University. Ramon holds a Master’s degree in Healthcare Administration from the University of Phoenix.
After his retirement from the US Army in 2012 Ramon became active in the community. He was President Philippine Nurses Association of Hawaii and currently the Western Region VP. He has volunteered for AARP Advocacy program. He volunteered as Health Educator National Kidney Foundation of Hawaii. He has served various Filipino community events.
Ramon also embarked a new career in the Entertainment Production. He established the Island Living Productions and Entertainment.
Jeannette Casuga Trevias
Jeannette Casuga Trevias, born and raised in the Philippines, started playing piano at the age of 4, graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree from University of Santo Tomas major in piano.
Jeannette studied at Yamaha School of Music at the age of 14, joined Asian Yamaha Electone Competition in Singapore at 16 and won 1st place and represented Asia in the International Yamaha Festival and won the Kawakami award, most promising award.
Jeannette did musical directing for big Filipino artists such as Lea Salonga (Tony Awardee for Miss Saigon), and Martin Nievera. Moved to Honolulu and played with Fiji, the Local Divas, Loyal Gardner, Melveen Leed, Carol Kai and presently working with Nohelani Cypriano at The Hilton Hawaiian Village. She played for Tiger Okoshi, well renowned international trumpet player and Nestor Torre at the International Jazz festival in the year 2000. She served as Musical Director for Hawaii’s own Society of Seven LV for 4 years. Jeannette recently performed as a headliner at Blue Note twice this year 2018.
Marlene Zion
Marlene Zion is a Pop and R&B singer originally from Hawaii, currently residing in Las Vegas. She began her professional singing career in the 90s with the popular girl group, Forté. Together they released three albums, toured the Hawaiian Islands, and won the nationally televised talent show Destination Stardom.
She has performed all over Hawaii including nightclubs, Waikiki attractions, private and corporate events. Now in Vegas she is a featured vocalist fronting top dance bands in casinos on and off The Strip. With her band Uptowne Vegas, Marlene tours internationally in Japan, Korea and the Middle East entertaining our military stationed overseas.