ABOUT US

DRILL TEAM HAWAII

For more than 40 years, Drill Team Hawaii has believed that dance is an expression of the joy in the dancer’s heart, the depth of her character, and the strength of her values. Teaching dance is as much about nurturing values as it is about coaching precise movements and athletic grace.

We provide our students with trained, experienced teachers and a safe, happy environment where girls can learn and develop their potential. Whether it’s ballet, lyrical, hip-hop, or jazz, we believe excellence in dance only comes from within.

We dance to pursue excellence. We dance to celebrate. We dance to show our joy.

We are Drill Team Hawaii.

TEAMS

Drill Team Hawaii performs regularly at Hawaii’s top sporting events and many other local and national special events, including the University of Hawaii’s homecoming games, the NFL Pro Bowl, the USA-China Volleyball Classic at the Stan Sheriff Center, and at Brigham Young University-Hawaii basketball games.

We have been selected to represent our island community in parades including the Aloha Bowl Parade, the Hula Bowl Parade, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade in New York and the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California.

Our dancers have won both team and individual championships at local, national, and international competitions. To provide our girls with opportunities to compete and demonstrate all that they’ve learned, we’ve traveled as far as California, Utah, Texas, to the ESPN Dance competition in Florida, and even to Japan. Most recently, we took home top awards at the 2016 Showstopper Regional Competition held in Anaheim, California.

Teams are set up according to age, height, maturity, and ability:

SHOW TEAM

Our Show Team is a select group of dancers chosen for their exceptional performance ability. Girls from each level combine as an elite dance troupe and perform all year at special functions.

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

FIRST PRIORITY

High school girls in grades 9 – 12 or advanced younger dancers. We expect the First Priority team to lead by example and mentor the younger girls to become better dancers and better people. Girls are expected to work independently and as a team toward their goals, as well as creatively explore dance and choreography.

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

JUNIORS

Grades 7 – 10. Our juniors are committed to excellence and are confident in performing with showmanship and precision. Girls learn to dance out of their box and work to perfect their technique.

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

MINIS

Grades 4 – 6. At this age, our ‘tween girls are growing physically, emotionally, and artistically. Girls build upon a basic foundation in ballet and will be challenged with more advanced techniques in jazz and hip hop. Other forms of dance are introduced to expand their repertoire.

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

SUPER MINIS

Grades 2 – 4. Our Super Minis continue to work on the fundamentals of ballet, jazz and hip hop while incorporating gymnastics and tumbling, such as aerials and front walkovers. The precision required at this young age is impressive and teaching discipline is as important as teaching dance.

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

SUPER DUPERS

Grades K – 2. We set high standards from the beginning and demonstrate the value of being responsible, respectful, compassionate, loyal, and honest. Although we are an all-girl team, we love to dance with everyone in our family — especially with our dancing dads!

Photo Courtesy: Schechter Photography

PREP

Dance and gym classes for beginners on Saturdays to prepare for the Drill Team Hawaii tryouts — or for girls who just want to begin a love for dance! In Prep Class, new dancers develop flexibility, coordination and strength while learning basic dance technique and gymnastics. Prep dancers will learn a dance routine and perform in two Drill Team Hawaii shows each year. Girls should be four years or older to register for classes.

DIRECTORS

Penny Young, Director

For over four decades, Penny along with her daughter, Febray, have traveled and competed with their team in such events as Ed McMahon Star Search, ESPN Dance Competition in Florida, NYC Dance Alliance in New York City, Contest of Champions, Miss Drill Team USA and Miss Drill Team international in Japan. They have also traveled as judges to competitions throughout many countries including Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Ireland.

Their main goal has been to teach girls to love dance. They have worked hard to ensure and maintain guiding principles for their students. They believe that dance is a medium for helping young girls grow into responsible, dedicated, and happy young women.

Febray Kaopua, Co-Director & Team Choreographer

A third generation dance instructor, Febray Kaopua serves as co-director along with her mother, Penny Young. Febray attended St. Andrews Priory and grew up dancing as a member of Drill Team Hawaii. She went to study at Utah State University, where she danced as a USU Aggiette. Wanting to continue the family tradition, she returned home to Hawaii to tutor aspiring young dancers. She also serves as Team Choreographer, and has choreographed routines for performances on Ed McMahon’s Star Search, the Macy’s Thanksgiving’s Day Parade, and numerous other events and competitions.

Febray is the mother of three daughters, two who currently dance with Drill Team Hawaii. Her oldest daughter continues to pursue her love dance while studying at college.

INSTRUCTORS

Amanda Petit is a former professional dancer, now dance instructor and choreographer. Raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she began dancing at the age of five. Training in ballet, jazz, contemporary, modern, pointe, and hip-hop, her passion for dance quickly grew into an urge for a career. After her success at the Youth America Grand Prix, she decided to transition to The Atlanta Ballet’s Centre for Dance Education to further her training. From there, she progressed into the second company and eventually had her soloist début as Marya in John McFall’s “The Nutcracker” under the direction of Gennadi Nedvigin. During her time in The Atlanta Ballet, she premiered in various works including, The Four Seasons by James Kudelka, Olive Tree by Tara Lee, Sleeping Beauty by John McFall, Moulin Rouge by Jorden Morris, Serenade by George Balanchine, Quietly Walking by Gina Patterson, Don Quixote by Marius Petipa, Cicada by Heath Gill, and Reign by Sarah Hillmer. She later transitioned into the performance world of the cruise industry. Being a dancer aboard Royal Caribbean’s Jewel of the Seas diversified and widened her arsenal of dance styles, bringing Argentine tango, Broadway, Fosse, and jazz funk into her realm. She has experienced both ballet and performance world and has enjoyed every second if it!

Amanda has been teaching for seven years, holding experience in instructing ballet, variations, pointe work, partnering, conditioning, contemporary, modern, jazz, hip hop, and Broadway styles, from toddlers to adults. Her choreography carries in both the competition and repertoire realm. As a competition director, she is dedicated to the well-being of her teams in mind, body and soul, attending all her student’s competitions to support. She uses Pilates, yoga, and Progressing Ballet Technique in her conditioning classes to strengthen her dancers and encourage them to use their bodies to their fullest potential safely. She finds her utmost passion in encouraging and building the next generation of dancers in a loving, hard-working, and empowering way. To add on to her passion for The Arts, she is a Life Coach for female performers and began her own business, The Empowered Artist’s Coaching LLC. When she is not in the studio, you can find Amanda outside, hiking, swimming, and scuba diving!

Joshua “Hazmat” Ulep, born and raised in Hawai‘i, began dancing at 8 years old for the company he would one day own. At age 16 he moved to New York taking up a scholarship to Steps on Broadway that he had received at a competition. Since then, Hazmat has appeared on numerous TV shows like PBS’ “The Electric Company,” Disney Channel’s “Shake It Up,” The Ellen DeGeneres Show, America’s Best Dance Crew, and America’s Got Talent, just to name a few.

As the owner of Hypersquad 4 Life,  he has lead his competing teams Academy of Hype, Bandits, and Rascals to multiple victories and awards at Hip Hop International, World of Dance and more. You also may have seen some of his recent work as a choreographer for The Lab, on NBCs World of dance season 1 and Rascals of season 2.

Currently Hazmat has been working with numerous college and high school dance teams bringing most teams to National and World titles, with years back to back. Some of these teams include University of Cincinnati, University of Louisville, Grand Valley State University, Davenport University, University of Delaware, DuPont Manual High School and many others.

Locally raised, Olivia Purdy, has over 25 years of dance knowledge. She began dancing at the age of 3 with Sabrina Starr Dance Studio and later, continued her training with Drill Team Hawaii for 10 years.

Olivia has extensive training in jazz, pom, contemporary, ballet, and hip hop.  She has competed in both local and national competitions including Spotlight, Utah Jazz Fest, Contest of Champions and the Universal Dance Association (UDA) Dance Nationals featured on ESPN. Following high school, she attended the University of Nevada-Reno where she was a member of the Wolf Pack Dance Team for 3 years and graduated with her BS in Health Ecology. During college, she was discovered by UDA and was recruited to join their instructional staff where she taught dance camps and judged competitions throughout the United States including California, Nevada, Washington, and Wisconsin. Furthermore, she spent her college years teaching for a community-based dance program in Reno, NV, now founded as Art in Motion.

Since these accomplishments, Olivia has returned home to Hawai‘i. She graduated with her MBA from Hawaii Pacific University in 2017.  She loves ice cream, spending time with her family and friends, and is thrilled to be able to continue to share her knowledge and passion for the arts with the next generations.  She has been at the forefront of the DTH Prep program for the past 10+ years and feels fortunate to be part of a program that builds-up, inspires, and loves young dancers into movement and music.

GUEST INSTRUCTORS

Hi! My name is Haley Holt and I was born and raised in Southern California. I have been dancing since the age of two years old and was a competitive dancer till the age of eighteen. I was trained at various studios including; Cutting Edge Dance Center, The Rage Dance Complex and Just Plain Dancin. As a kid I also had great opportunities to understand the industry through Clear Talent Agency who helped guide me to perform for world renowned choreographers and corporations. 

I attended Hawaii Pacific University where I studied and graduated with a health science degree. I was a part of the dance team all four years of college and was a captain for two of those years. During my time on the dance team we had many opportunities to perform for the community, Liberty of the Seas cruise line and compete at USA nationals. While living in Hawaii I was presented with the opportunity to teach and choreograph for Drill Team Hawaii and my relationship continues with them 9 years later. Once I graduated from HPU I left for Tampa, Florida where I received my masters in exercise and nutrition science. I also became the assistant coach for the Spartan Scarlets and helped lead them to a finals performance at NDA Finals. 

After finishing school I continued to teach the various styles I have learned along the way including jazz, lyrical, contemporary, hip-hop and pom. I am also a personal trainer, a full time mom to my son Eddington and most recently an MC for Kids Artistic Revue (KAR) Dance Competition. I continue to teach, choreograph and dance when opportunities present themselves and enjoy the beach with my son on the down time.

John Peters is easily recognized as one of the nation’s most innovative and award winning choreographers in the worlds of Dance, Cheerleading, and Sports Entertainment.

He is currently the Los Angeles Rams Cheerleaders choreographer. Additional pro sports clients include the Denver Broncos Cheerleaders, LA Charger Girls, San Francisco 49ers Gold Rush, Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, Portland Trailblazers, Dallas Mavericks, Sacramento Kings, Golden State Warriors, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, L.A. Spark Kids, Hollywood Fame, The Chiva Girls, L.A. Clippers, Los Angeles Laker Girls, as well as the entire league of XFL Cheerleaders, and the NFL Pro Bowl Cheerleaders from 1993 – 2000.

Recent choreography projects include live sports performances with T-Pain, French Montana, Bebe Rexha, James Corden, Craig David, Tone Loc, and Snoop Dogg, as well as an Ellen Show feature with Average Andy. For the 2018 season, John choreographed the NBC Sunday Night Football opener with Carrie Underwood.

Worldwide televised features include the 2017 Hong Kong Chinese New Year Parade, NFL America Bowls in London, Tokyo, and Barcelona. As well as Super Bowl XIX, NFL Pro Bowl Hawaii, and featured choreography at Super Bowl LIII with NFC Champion LA Rams Cheerleaders.

Most recently, John choreographed and directed the “I Know Your Type” music video for pop singer Elle Brightly.

Collegiate Cheerleading and Dance credits include the University of Alabama Crimson Cabaret, B.Y.U. Cougarettes, Duke University Dancing Devils, Clemson University Dance Team, University of Oregon Dancers, University of Missouri Cheerleaders and Golden Girls, Boise State Cheerleaders and Maneline Dancers, U.C.L.A. Dance Team, U.S.C. Trojan Dance Force, and the world famous U.S.C. Song Girls.

In addition, John has choreographed countless winning routines for College, High School, Studio, and All-Star Cheerleading and Dance Champions, including renowned Drill Team Hawaii.

Kayla Bagshaw, originally from Centerville, Utah began her training at The Turning Place and Dance Impressions. She trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary and hip-hop. Throughout her time as a competition dancer, she received numerous performing awards/scholarships and 1st place solo awards. In high school, she was a member of her drill team where she served as Dance Captain and represented her school as Dance Sterling Scholar. She was crowned Miss Drill International in 2011 + Miss Drill Utah in 2012.

Kayla spent 4 consecutive years as a member of the Nationally Ranked Brigham Young University (BYU) Cougarettes where she served as Dance Captain for 3 of those years. She was also a 4-year member of National Dance Alliance’s (NDA) All American Dance Team. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance Performance.

Upon graduation, Kayla joined a professional contemporary dance company called “Divinity” and just completed her 6th season with them. Kayla also helped open a dance studio called Project Move in Centerville, Utah. She currently teaches all ages, levels and styles at Project Move 5 – 6 days a week. She also travels all over the United States teaching technique workshops and choreographing for studios, dance companies and drill teams. Her choreography has received numerous recognition awards including Best Choreography and Judges Choice.

Kayla is the current Head Coach for the Viewmont Vykelles High School Drill Team. She is also an online dance instructor for Dance Labs where she creates class outlines and teaches dancers all over the world a variety of tricks, technique, and styles of dance. She is the face behind the gram and loves spreading her love of dance to everyone she comes in contact with.

HISTORY

Penny Young founded Drill Team Hawaii and has been the director for more than four decades. Born in Ogden, Utah, Penny’s love of dance emerged as a 5-year-old at her mother’s dance school. Penny is the mother of three children and married to Craig Young, an instructor at Punahou School.

She began her career as a dance instructor at Salt Lake City’s Cyprus High School where she established the first drill team in the Salt Lake area. That drill team, “The Spinnakers”, still remains a well-known, winning dance team.

In 1968, she moved to Hawaii after accepting a position at Brigham Young University – Hawaii as Director of Student Activities and dance instructor.

Two years later she joined the St. Andrew’s Priory where she established a dance team called the “First Priority.” She directed a group of 16 girls who performed at sporting events throughout the state. A few years later she expanded and added younger girls and invited girls from other schools to join the team. This combined group is known today as Drill Team Hawaii.