SCHOOL PERFORMANCES
FOR STUDENTS
We are thrilled to welcome students and educators back to the Maui Arts & Cultural Center for a new season of world-class performances!
This year’s lineup features:
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Nobuntu - A powerful female a cappella quintet from Zimbabwe
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Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki – Virtuoso violin & accordion duo from Poland
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Black Grace - Dynamic contemporary dance company from New Zealand
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Circa: Humans 2.0 - Awe-inspiring acrobatics and physical theater from Australia
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REMATHAU: People of the Ocean - Presented in partnership with Hawai‘i International Film Festival (HIFF). Registration will be coordinated directly with HIFF via a separate link.
Register for one or register for all, don’t miss this exciting season!
KAROLINA & IWO
September 15, 2025 | 10:00am
McCoy Studio Theater
Recommended Grades: K-12
Duo Karolina Mikołajczyk & Iwo Jedynecki is one of the most vibrant and innovative chamber ensembles of the current generation of classical musicians. Recognized worldwide, they have been awarded Poland's most prestigious prize for classical music, the 'Polityka Passport' with duo being praised for its versatility and ability to navigate through diverse musical realms; virtuosity, unbridled imagination, and ingenuity in creating new repertoire for the distinctive combination of violin and accordion. This accolade follows a long line of Grand Prix and First Prizes at international music competitions and performances at prestigious venues. The duo has thrilled audiences with recitals across the world in 32 countries on five continents. Their repertoire offers thrilling arrangements of Baroque, Classical, Romantic and contemporary music. Both well-loved and little-known pieces gain bold new interpretations and original sounds while boasting delightfully diverse coloring.
Curriculum Connections (HIDOE):
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Fine Arts / Music: Understanding musical genres (classical, contemporary, cross-cultural), instrument families, music interpretation.
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Social Studies: Global awareness – geography of Europe, Poland’s cultural contributions.
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ELA: Responding to music through reflective writing and discussion.
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Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)/BREATH Values:
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Belonging: Connecting to global music communities
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Responsibility: Respectful audience behavior
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Excellence: Appreciating virtuosity and skill
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Aloha: Respecting cultural diversity
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Total Well Being: Experiencing joy and inspiration through music
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Hawaiʻi: Connecting local learning to global arts traditions
Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
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Performing: Analyze and interpret music for expressive intent.
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Responding: Evaluate artistic works based on criteria.
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Connecting: Relating music traditions to cultural context and personal experiences.
REMATHAU: PEOPLE OF THE OCEAN
November 10, 2026 | 9:30-11:00 AM
McCoy Studio Theater
Recommended Grades: 6-12
REMATHAU: PEOPLE OF THE OCEAN follows the journey of Nicole Yamase, the first Micronesian and Indigenous person (and only the second woman in history) to dive to the deepest part of the ocean, “Challenger Deep” in the Marianas Trench. Nicole also begins a deeper dive into her own identity as a Micronesian and a descendant of great navigators.
Important: Please note that this special HIFF screening will run longer than our other education performances. The program, including a Q&A session, will take place from 9:30 am to 11:00 am.
NOBUNTU acapella
November 18, 2025 | 10:00 AM
Castle Theater
Recommended Grades: K-12
Dynamic a capella group from Zimbabwe, Nobuntu has drawn international acclaim for its inventive performances that range from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro Jazz to Gospel. The ensemble’s concerts are performed in multiple native languages and dialects with pure voices, augmented by minimalistic percussion, traditional instruments such as the Mbira (thumb piano) and organic, authentic dance movements. They sing with an uncanny vocal blend, precision, and joy!
Curriculum Connections (HIDOE):
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Fine Arts / Music & Dance: Exploring world music, vocal harmonies, African rhythmic structures, and traditional movement.
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World Languages / Social Studies: Exposure to multiple African languages and Zimbabwean cultural traditions.
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Cultural Studies: Indigenous instruments (Mbira, percussion) and their roles in storytelling.
Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)/BREATH Values:
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Belonging: Feeling part of shared musical experience
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Responsibility: Respecting cultural traditions and performers
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Excellence: Noticing precision, creativity, and joy in vocal performance
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Aloha: Respecting cultural expression and diversity
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Total Well Being: Experiencing joy, vitality, and emotional engagement
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Hawaiʻi: Drawing global music connections to local arts experiences
Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
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Performing: Presenting vocal performance with attention to accuracy and cultural style.
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Responding: Interpreting the meaning of music and dance in cultural context.
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Connecting: Relating musical expression to social, historical, and cultural traditions.
BLACK GRACE
March 9, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Castle Theater
Recommended Grades: K-12
Black Grace is New Zealand’s leading contemporary dance company. Founded by Neil Ieremia (ONZM*) in 1995, one of New Zealand’s most accomplished choreographers, a creative entrepreneur, and inspirational leader. Ieremia draws from his Samoan and New Zealand roots to create innovative dance works that reach across social, cultural, and generational barriers. The work itself is highly physical, rich in the storytelling traditions of the South Pacific and expressed with raw finesse, unique beauty and power.
Curriculum Connections (HIDOE):
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Dance & Performing Arts: Movement, choreography, narrative expression through body.
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Social Studies / Pacific Studies: Understanding Samoan and New Zealand cultures; migration and identity.
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ELA: Analyzing dance as storytelling (compare/contrast to literature).
Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)/BREATH Values:
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Belonging: Honoring community through movement and storytelling
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Responsibility: Respect for cultural heritage and choreographic intent
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Excellence: Observing skillful and expressive performance
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Aloha: Building empathy across cultures
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Total Well Being: Engaging mind and body through artistic expression
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Hawaiʻi: Learning from Pacific cultural stories relevant to our local context
Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
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Creating: Exploring choreographic intent and cultural influence in dance.
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Performing: Interpreting dance works with technical accuracy and expressive purpose.
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Connecting: Understanding dance in relation to cultural, historical, and social contexts.
CIRCA HUMANS 2.0
May 4, 2026 | 10:00 AM
Castle Theater
Recommended Grades: K-12
Humans 2.0 is a seriously sensational spectacle: as aesthetic as it is athletic, as comedic as it is grave, and all in all, a visceral delight.” A symphony of acrobatics, sound, and light, this is next level circus by Circa. Ten bodies appear in a flash of light. They move in harmony for a fleeting moment and then descend into a sinuous trance. Towers grow and decay, bodies leap and are caught, as physical limits are pushed to their extreme. Can we ever find a perfect balance or is adapting to constant change the only way forward? This next chapter of Circa’s internationally acclaimed Humans is a tightly woven choreography of bodies, pulsing with music and revealed in dramatic lighting. Created by circus visionary Yaron Lifschitz, Humans 2.0 is intimate, primal, and deeply engaged with the challenge of being human.
Curriculum Connections (HIDOE):
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Performing Arts / Theater & Dance: Movement, balance, timing, collaboration.
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Science (Physical Education & Physics): Human anatomy, strength, gravity, balance, motion.
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SEL (Social Emotional Learning): Teamwork, trust, and resilience.
Nā Hopena Aʻo (HĀ)/BREATH Values:
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Belonging: Experiencing teamwork, trust, and ensemble collaboration
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Responsibility: Respecting physical limits and safety of performers
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Excellence: Observing extraordinary human skill and creativity
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Aloha: Supporting peers and performers with respect
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Total Well Being: Inspiring physical, emotional, and mental engagement
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Hawaiʻi: Understanding global performance arts and universal human experiences
Core Arts Standards (NCAS):
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Performing: Demonstrating technical skill and expressive intent in movement.
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Responding: Analyzing artistic choices in performance.
Connecting: Relating human movement performance to universal themes (balance, resilience, change).
Please review these helpful guidelines before and after registering as it may answer any questions you may have.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Plan to arrive at the MACC at least 20 minutes prior to your scheduled show. Performances will begin on time.
Please have your students remain seated on the bus until you are in front of our Box Office and/or your bus is greeted by a MACC staff member or volunteer.
The length of the show is approximately one hour, without an intermission.
PARKING
If you are traveling via private car(s), school vans - the last two rows nearest the McCoy Studio Theater is your designated parking area, please see a MACC staff member or volunteer once you have parked and before going to the theater
SEATING
Seating will be assigned based on number of students, grade levels (the MACC does not discriminate or assign seats based on school type, school district, demographic, etc.).
SPECIAL REQUESTS
If any, please advise of special needs students or requests (i.e. limited mobility) prior to arrival.
ATTENDANCE & CANCELLATIONS
Please have the exact count of students and a count of staff /teachers upon arrival.
Seats are limited, therefore we kindly ask if you register for a particular performance that you commit to attending. Otherwise please cancel no later than 7 (seven) days of your reserved performance. This will keep our performances free and available to all who are interested in attending.
COST
School performances remain free of charge!
Each school may bring one chaperone for every ten students at no cost. Additional chaperones are welcome but will be subject to a $5 fee per person.
LUNCH
We kindly ask that lunches not be eaten on site. Keopuolani Park, located within walking distance, is a great alternative with plenty of open space and public restrooms.
If you need a table to store lunches during the performance, please let us know at least one week in advance so we can arrange one for you.
