About Us

Jennifer Butler Shannon (Mrs. Jenny)
MFA, BFA
Artistic Director: Convergence Dance Theatre Choreographer, Performer, Dance Educator

• More than 15 years of professional dance instruction
• Modern
• Ballet
• Jazz

Objective

Our objective for all of our classes is to celebrate the natural creativity and joy of dance by educating students in both the art and the science of dance.

Background

Jennifer has an extensive background in dance education. She has studied with professionals in New Mexico, Utah, Colorado, Washington, Maine and Hawaii. Jennifer received her BFA in dance from Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, Washington. In 2003 she received her MFA in performance and choreography from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Jennifer has performed pieces by Wade Madson, Deborah Wolf, Doug Varone, Bill Evans, Gregg Lizenbery, Dr. Betsy Fisher, Darl Thomas, Jeong-ho Nam, and Peggy Gaither Adams. At U.H. she danced with the University of Hawaii Dance Ensemble, a touring student company. She directed the Dance Ensemble in 2003. Jennifer 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.

Jennifer, known, as “Ms. Jenny” to her younger students, brings her passion for creating dance into her classroom. She has had 15 years of teaching experience working with a wide range of ages, levels and settings. She began teaching in dance studios at age 15, and has continued to teach children and adults in studios, summer camps, public, and private school settings and at the University of Hawaii as a graduate assistant and dance lecturer.

Jennifer also serves as the Artistic Director of Convergence Dance Theatre, a dance collaborative made up of diverse voices and choreographic styles. Convergence Dance Theatre was formed in 2003 as a cooperative dance ensemble to provide up and coming Honolulu choreographers and performing artists opportunities to create and perform original work. Convergence Dance Theatre’s focus on diversity and individuality gives each performance a spontaneous energy unique to the Oahu community.

Other Instructors

Sarah Obringer
(Ballet Instructor)
Dance credits include the Colorado Ballet Company, Denver CO., Canyon Concert Ballet, Fort Collins CO., and apprenticeship with the American Ballet Theater in New York City. Sarah is also a former student of the Actors Studio, New York City. She is an accomplished actor, has acted in numerous Off-Broadway and Off-Off Broadway shows, as well as in film and television. Sarah combines her early technical training, experience with Alexander Technique (for alignment) and her expressive acting training to create interesting and expressive ballet classes. Sarah’s friendly and open personality make even the newest of students feel comfortable!