About Us

Garden Island Dance Academy

Jennifer Schwartz founded her school Garden Island Dance Academy in 1998 when she graduated from the Royal Ballet School of London England. She is an ambassador of the Royal Ballet School, and her classes are the most Western Outpost of anyone who has her degree from the Royal Ballet School Teacher’s Course. Dance classes in Classical Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Contemporary, Flamenco and Modern Dance are offered to students of all ages and abilities.
Dance teachers for Garden Island Dance Academy are highly trained professionals. Students have many opportunities to give performances throughout the year and this has enabled students to excel and grow in their dancing and for our Kauai community to experience the gift of dance.

Teachers

Maria Douma

Moria Douma

Moria Douma has taught for Garden Island Dance Academy students dances from Bolivia, Chile, Israel & Macedonia.

Moria Douma fell in love with the beautiful art form of classical ballet at age five and has been dancing ever since. In addition to ballet, she has extensive experience in contemporary ballet, modern, jazz, and international folk dancing.

Moria has been professionally trained in ballet for over eighteen years at the Montana Ballet Company’s Dance Under the Big Sky; Dmitri Kulev Classical Ballet Academy.

Moria’s a performing artist who is passionate about sharing her love and passion for dance, music, and performance. Her repertoire include Nutcracker, Snow White, and Cinderella, and Giselle.

She is excited about teaching for Garden Island Dance Academy contemporary dance in International Folk dances from Bolivia, Chile, Israel & Macedonia

About the founder

Jennifer Schwartz

Jennifer Schwartz, ARAD, Dip RBS TC, is a dance educator, choreographer, and the founder of Garden Island Dance Academy on Kaua‘i. With over 25 years of teaching experience, she has trained dancers of all ages and abilities—from early childhood through pre-professional levels—advancing equitable access to high-quality dance education in a rural island community.
Born in California to parents living on Kaua‘i, Jennifer spent her early childhood on the island before her family relocated internationally. She began her formal ballet training in Hong Kong with Royal Academy of Dance teacher Betty Kot and continued her studies in Thailand with Khun Tip. She later moved to England for her education and attended boarding school at the Legat School of Russian Style Ballet, where she received rigorous classical training.
Jennifer continued her studies at the Royal Ballet School in London, earning her Teaching Diploma and Associate credentials from the Royal Academy of Dancing. As a young dancer, she performed Swan Lake at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and appeared in performances for members of the British royal family.
Jennifer Bell Grey
Jennifer at 13

Jennifer Schwartz, age 13, Swan Lake, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London England.

In 1998, Jennifer founded Garden Island Dance Academy, which now serves students across Līhu‘e, Kapa‘a, and the North Shore, offering instruction in ballet, contemporary, hip hop, flamenco, and creative movement. Her pedagogy integrates technical excellence, anatomy-informed training, injury prevention, and inclusive teaching practices. Through her work with Performing Arts For All, she prioritizes youth access, affordability, and community-based performance opportunities, ensuring that students in an underserved, geographically isolated region can participate in professional-caliber arts education.

Jennifer also served as a community organizer for the inaugural TEDxLīhu‘e, The Power of Positive Thinking, convening speakers and audiences around themes of creativity, resilience, and shared civic values. She has served as a guest teaching artist at the Cleo Parker Robinson International Summer Dance Intensive in Denver, Colorado, in 2024 and 2025, an acclaimed national program known for its commitment to artistic excellence and inclusive training. Her work is recognized nationally through these guest teaching invitations and through the continued advancement of her students into respected training institutions, including the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, Ballet Hawai‘i, and the Joffrey Ballet School.

She continues to create original multimedia works that blend dance, storytelling, and film. Through her teaching, choreography, and nonprofit leadership, Jennifer remains committed to artistic rigor, rural equity, and the transformative role of the arts in youth development and community well-being.

Jennifer Bell Grey

BalletJEN Breathing and Body Mechanics workout