CATALDO — “Anytime we can add art and artistic expression into the general curriculum, it’s a benefit to students.”

Canyon Elementary Science Magnet School Principal and teacher Jennifer Ferreira could not contain her excitement when she spoke to the News-Press Monday regarding the Hawaiian theme that the school’s Artist in Residence program had this last year.

The program was started to immerse students in an area of art expression and this year’s focus was on performing arts and Hawaiian culture.

CES recently invited Bria Thompson of Coeur d'Alene to visit the school and teach the excited students about Hawaii by sharing hula dances, speaking about the local culture, collaborating in large-scale art projects and costume making.

Thompson, born and raised in Hawaii, currently lives in North Idaho, where she owns Lokahi Dance Studio. Realizing she had a passion for teaching, Thompson first created a traveling dance company in Coeur d’Alene. After her success with the traveling dance company, she was able to open and own a dance studio. This dedication for education brings her to local schools, teaching Hawaiian culture.

Thompson taught each class a unique hula dance. These dances are symbolic, representing different parts of Hawaiian culture.

From Pele’, the Hawaiian fire goddess, and Kāhuli, Hawaiian tree snails, to the state fish and Hukilau (an ancient Hawaiian fishing technique) — the dances each tell fascinating stories of the island’s culture.

To end the week with the artist, families visited the school and watched students perform the hula dances with costumes made by the students and a tropical beach/volcanic scene as a backdrop for their performance that was also created by the students. After the performance, students and families were able to be refreshed by a delicious treat of Hawaiian Shaved Ice provided from a Kona Ice Truck.

“Students need opportunities to be creative and express their creativity,” Ferreira said. “It was so great to see all of the parent support, teacher creativity and student excitement. It really came together well!”