Classes & Camps
Kahilu holds education as our heart and our priority...
KPAW (Kahilu Performing Arts Workshop)
Class Dates: Monday – Friday, June 9 – June 20
Times: 9:00am – 2:00pm
Ages: 6 – 12
Class Location: Kahilu Main Stage & Mike Luce Studio
Tuition: $500 + $6 registration fee
(need-based financial aid is available – please see below to apply)
In this two-week summer musical theater and performing arts camp, students play acting games that involve physical awareness, improvisation and communication. They rehearse musical numbers daily, learning songs and dances along with a script co-written by teachers and campers. Campers participate in daily electives of their choice, including puppetry, accents, songwriting, film making and much more.
At the end of the two weeks, campers perform a show for their ‘ohanas. All KPAW teachers are theater professionals from Hawai’i Island, assisted by local high school and college students pursuing a theater education.
Click for KPAW registration and/or financial aid
Aerial Arts
Class Dates: Monday – Friday, June 23 – June 27
Times: 10:00am – 3:00pm
Ages: 8 – 12
Class Location: Kahilu Main Stage & Mike Luce Studio
Tuition: $375 + $6 registration fee
(need-based financial aid is available – please see below to apply)
Climb to new heights with our Aerial Arts! We will be exploring basic to intermediate silks, dance trapeze & lyra (aerial hoop) in this week long camp filled with fun & flying. Aerial arts instructors Alea Backus & Bria Bogotin will be sharing their expertise in these skills, along with some cooperative & theater games to break things up & let loose. Come fly with us this Summer!
Click for Aerial & Flexibility registration and/or financial aid
Emerging Songwriters Lab
Class Dates: Monday – Friday, June 23 – June 27
Times: 4:00pm – 7:00pm
Ages: 16 – 24
Class Location: Kahilu Main Stage & Mike Luce Studio
Tuition: $325 + $6 registration fee
(need-based financial aid is available – please see below to apply)
Calling all young songwriters and aspiring artists! Join us for a week of creativity, collaboration, and musical growth at Kahilu. In partnership with Lemon Lunchbox Music Group, and Sara Jelley Music, this music development program offers a welcoming space for youth to explore songwriting, develop their musical voice, and connect with fellow artists.
Led by singer-songwriters J.LYN and Sara Jelley, the workshop will guide participants through the fundamentals of songwriting, storytelling, and performance. Open to all experience levels, the week will culminate in a live Songwriting Showcase where students share their original work with friends, family, and the community.
Whether you’re picking up a pen for the first time or polishing your next hit, this is your chance to be part of a supportive, inspiring, and fun music-making experience. Let your voice be heard — your story starts with a song.
Click for Emerging Songwriters Lab registration and/or financial aid
Our Performances for Young Audiences series introduces students aged 5-18 to the magic of live theatre, dance, and music. These special matinee performances feature artists who blend their craft with personal stories and interactive demonstrations, creating an unforgettable experience for our young audience members.
Spring 2025
Class Dates: Sundays – 1/12, 2/9, 3/30, 4/27
Times: 9:30am – 1:30pm
Ages: 9 – 29
Class Location: Kahilu Main Stage & Mike Luce Studio
Tuition: $125 + $6 registration fee
(need-based financial aid is available – please see below to apply)
The spring semester of the KPAC will begin on January 12 th , 2025. This is a once-a-month acting and musical theatre class taught by Beth Dunnington. This comprehensive method acting class includes monologue work, musical theatre songs, fun theatre games, and improvisation.
Please click here to register and to apply for financial aid – if applicable.
Kahilu Performing Arts Classes (KPAC) offer a selection of afternoon and evening classes in acting, music, and musical theatre each fall and spring. Our programs also include master classes with Season artists, summer camps, and the Kahilu Performing Arts Workshop (KPAW), led by KPAC alumni. Scholarships are available to make these opportunities accessible to all.
Our partnerships with local schools enable us to bring the arts into the lives of students in a meaningful and engaging way. The Kahilu Arts (K-Arts) program has provided middle school students with the opportunity to shine both on and off the stage, while our ‘Ukulele and Slack Key Guitar Festival connects Hawaiian music legends with the next generation of artists. Our gallery exhibits also offer docent-led programs for a deeper understanding of the artwork on display.
Kahilu welcomes interns and volunteers of all ages and interests to participate in our year-round workforce development programs. By working alongside our dedicated team, participants gain valuable experience and contribute to the vibrant artistic community we strive to cultivate.
Join us at Kahilu and be part of our mission to make a place where community, creativity and inspiration thrive.
Make The Most Of Your Experience!
Performances for Young Audiences
Our Performances for Young Audiences series at Kahilu aims to ignite a lifelong passion for the arts in students aged 5-18.