The Dance Space 

Creative. Artistic. Professional. Friendly and Welcoming.  

At The Dance Space, we take dancing very seriously. We teach each class with passion, commitment and respect for the art form. Our teachers are professioanl dance and drama educators with years of training and performing experience.  Our teachers love to teach dance. Each class is filled with positive energy to create a fun and supportive dance enviroment.

Meet Our Teachers

Jennifer Butler Shannon: Studio Owner, Master Teacher and Artistic Director

Jennifer has studied, performed  choreographed and taught dance throughout the United States. She holds a BFA in Dance from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, Washington and a MFA in Performance and Choreography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

As a student and a performer, Jennifer has worked with professional choreographers including Wade Madson, Deborah Wolf, Doug Varone, Bill Evans, Gregg Lizenbery, Dr. Betsy Fisher, Darl Thomas, Jeong-ho Nam,   and Peggy Gaither Adams. She continues her dance studies by taking weekly technique classes, attending education workshops and dance conferences.

Creating original choreography is a fundamental and passionate aspect of dance for Jennifer. She has  choreographed numerous dance pieces, including her MFA thesis, Fly High Fall Silently, a full length concert showcasing her work. She was awarded the Carl Wolf award for Excellence in Choreography for this program. Recently, her work has been performed at Army Community Theatre( Grease, Fiddler on the Roof), Puja, Marks Garage, Honolulu Art Academy and KCC.

Modern, Ballet, Tumbling, Creative Dance, Jazz and Tap, Creative Hip Hop.

Lily Brennick  

Lily received her MFA in childrens theatre from UH Manoa. She is currenlty a creative drama specialist for HTY and local community actor and comedian. Lily has been seen in many community theatre shows. Recently, High School Musical and Fiddler on the Roof. Lily is a spirited and warm hearted teacher. She leads musical theatre and creative drama with vision, joy and laughter.

Creative Drama, Musical Theatre

Roxeanne Ingano

Roxanne Ingano - Roxanne Ingano began her dance career at the Honolulu Dance Studio and later at Nix Dance Performing Arts Company where she took classes in everything from ballet to breakdancing. While studying at Chaminade University of Honolulu, she served as choreographer and artistic director for the Silversword Dance Team teaching jazz, lyrical and technique. After graduating Magna Cum Laude with her Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science in 2007, Roxanne found herself a student again at The Movement Center and Manoa Dance studio where she began her modern dance experience. CDT member.

Adult Hip Hop

Meghen Squires McKinley

A native of Illinois graduated with a BFA degree in dance performance, Cum Laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo in 2002. She performed with the University’s senior dance company, took part in departmental choreography showcases and had the opportunity to be involved in residencies with such companies as; The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Taylor II, Limon Dance Company, ABT II, and Philadanco. Meghen has also taken part in intensives with The Rivernorth Dance Company-Chicago, Chicago National Association of Dance Masters, and has danced abroad in Urbino, Italy. She was also a part of Germaul Barnes’ Dance 4 U Project/Black Bones which premiered at the Harkness Center in NYC, as well as Martha’s Vineyard. Other performances include an Off-Broadway Musical, Bernier Dance, and DeXDance Contemporary Dance Company; where she performed in and around the New York area; Orlando International Fringe Festival, The Hatch - NYC, Interborough Repertory Theatre – NYC, Greenspace – NYC, and many fund-raising and charity events. Meghen is currently a company member and Assistant Director of Convergence Dance Theatre where she has found a wonderful home of creative and inspiring dancers, and is pursuing her MFA in dance at the University of Hawaii, Manoa. 

Jazz,  Modern and Kids Jazz, Modern and Ballet.

Nani Leilani Elm

Nani first started dancing hula at the age of 4 with Auntie Nona Beamer, continuing with Auntie Lehua Carey, and Auntie Leolani Pratt.  During her years of dancing on The Star of Honolulu, she was under Kumu Hula Al  Bacarse. Hula dancing has led to a wonderful adventure in playing music, singing, and other dance forms thus leading her to perform on stages from Japan, to California and all across the United States.   Hula, Hip Hop

Elizabeth Heap

Dance is an investment in physical and mental health.  Dance requires focus, dedication and persistence, essential tools for a healthy and successful life. Every class is structured around technique, creative exploration, and composition.   All of our studio classes are designed to be repeated for three to six sessions in order to build the necessary skills and physical strength and coordination. Tap, Jazz

Malia Yamamoto

Malia has studied dance seriously since she was a child. She has trained primarily in ballet and modern dance.  Malia received her BFA in Dance from the University of Hawaii where she performed the works of Kei Takei, Jean Erdman and Doug Varone. She was also selected to participate in a student exchange program at the London Contemporary Dance School.  Since graduation, she has studied, worked and performed in Honolulu and New York. Locally she has worked with most dance and theatre groups in town; including  Convergence Dance Theatre, Tau Dance Theater, Iona Dance Theater, Honolulu Dance Theater, Onium Ballet, Upside-Down Dance, Monkey and the Waterfall, Hawaii Opera Theater, and Kumu Kahua Theater. She is currently dancing professionally on the Navatec.  Adult Contemporary Ballet