Maui Prep Dance

Dance is part of the Lower School Performing Arts curriculum, with all students participating in a weekly 45-minute class. These classes introduce students to the foundations of movement, musicality, and storytelling through dance while preparing them for performances throughout the school year.

Students explore rhythm, spatial awareness, and expressive movement while developing foundational dance skills in a supportive and collaborative environment. The program emphasizes creativity, teamwork, and confidence as students learn how movement can communicate ideas and emotions.

In addition to their weekly dance class, Lower School students participate in Hula instruction for six months of the school year, providing a meaningful connection to Hawaiian culture and movement traditions.

Lower School students perform in several school traditions and productions, including:

These experiences allow students to share their work with the community while developing stage presence and confidence.

Middle School students may elect to study dance as part of their Performing Arts pathway, meeting for approximately two hours each week.

The curriculum evolves throughout the year to expose students to a range of dance styles and creative processes.

Quarter 1 & 2 – Musical Theatre Dance
Students develop performance technique while participating in the Middle and Upper School theatrical production.

Quarter 3 – Contemporary Dance & Choreography
Students explore contemporary dance vocabulary while learning the fundamentals of choreography, composition, and movement design.

Quarter 4 – Commercial Dance Performance
Students study commercial dance styles and prepare choreography for Arts Night.

During the second semester, Middle School students also participate in Hula, further enriching their understanding of cultural dance traditions.

Upper School students may pursue dance through an advanced elective that meets for approximately three hours each week.

Semester 1 – Musical Theatre Dance
Students train in musical theatre dance technique and perform as part of the Middle and Upper School production.
Semester 2 – Commercial Dance & Conditioning
Students explore contemporary commercial dance styles while focusing on strength, conditioning, and performance preparation for Arts Night.

This progression allows students to deepen both their technical abilities and their artistic expression while gaining valuable performance experience.

The dance program is led by Nathalie Smith, Director of Performing Arts at Maui Preparatory Academy.

Nathalie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Performance Theory and Practice (Dance Studies) from the University of Western Sydney and a Postgraduate Bachelor’s Degree in Teaching (Secondary Education). She also trained at Bradfield College in Sydney, a specialized Performing Arts institution, where she was awarded excellence for her graduating choreography and selected to present her work at the Sydney Opera House as part of a statewide showcase.

Her teaching career includes developing and implementing the inaugural dance curriculum at Westall Secondary College in Melbourne, where she taught dance and Theatre Studies. Nathalie has also taught in several schools within the Sydney Board of Education system, including Blacktown Girls High School, Caroline Chisolm College, and Northmead Creative and Performing Arts High School.

In addition to her work in schools, Nathalie served as a lead choreographer and educator with the National Youth Dance Theatre for seven years, where she trained young performers and prepared students for major festival performances in Sydney and Melbourne.

Her professional background in choreography, dance education, and musical theatre allows her to bring a high level of artistic and educational expertise to the Maui Prep Performing Arts program. She is passionate about helping students develop confidence through strong foundational skills while creating meaningful opportunities for students to perform, collaborate, and grow as artists.