About Miss Judi
Judith (Tessitore) Nietupki (Judi T. Kukiki) is a native Rhode Islander who began her extensive study of dance at the age of five. As a child performer she was featured with numerous TV and radio personalities. She has attended numerous workshops throughout the US and is educated in various methods of traditional, cultural and social dance forms.
Judi has appeared with celebrities such as Bobby Vinton, Willie Tyler, Denny Terrio and Bo and Hope from Days of Our Lives. She was honored to become Mrs. Rhode Island America in 1986 and had the opportunity to participate in the nationally televised Mrs. America Pageant in Las Vegas where she was awarded The Best Costume and Mrs. Congeniality.
For the past fifteen years she and her students have participated in the Jerry Lewis Telethon for MDA nationally televised on ABC. Among her diverse interests in the dancing world, Judi has long been dedicated to Polynesian and Hawaiian dance forms. She brings this exotic magic to the United States from studies at Brigham University and field studies in Hawaii.
The summer of 2002, Kukiki And The Coconuts were honored to be part of the premiere opening of the animated Disney movie, Lilo & Stitch, at various Showcase Cinema locations. March 2004, the Vince Lombardi Lodge Order of the Sons of Italy named Judi T. Woman of the Year. In September 2007, the Jaycees presented Judi with the "Distinguished Community Service Award".
About Miss Jen
Jennifer began dancing before she began to walk. Her talents and skills include Acrobats, Ballet, Tap, Jazz and Hawaiian.
Jen is a graduate of CCRI with an Associate in Science in Business and a degree in Liberal Arts. She is also a graduate of RIC with a Bachelors degree in Business Management.
Jen's many years of training and experience in dance have earned her the position of top choreographer and assistant director to the Judi T. Dance Studio & C.E.O. and Liaison to the Party Line.
Locally and nationally, Jen has participated in numerous shows and charitable organizations. Jen frequently visits Hawaii - studying at the International Market Place & Waikiki Town Center under the direction of Derek Daniels; World famous director, producer & choreographer.
About Miss Jessica
Jessica was born a dancer! She exhibits her love of dance in Tap, Ballet, Jazz, Acrobats, Hawaiian and Ballroom and is naturally talented in Hip Hop.
Jessica has performed locally and nationally in numerous shows including those sponsored for charitable organizations. She continues to expand her studies by traveling to Hawaii. She has performed in two authentic Polynesian reviews "Voyage of Polynesia" and "Islands of Aloha".
During a recent trip to Hawaii, Jessica became a Certified Kuma Hula (Hula Teacher). She graduated 8th in her class in 2011 from Coventry High School and has earned various awards of excellence. Jessica is attending URI and studying Italian Language, ultimately, to become an Italian Language Teacher. Jessica will also continue to be a permanent member of the Judi T Dance Studio.
About Miss Kristina
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Kristina began her dance training at the New Albany Ballet Company. She continued to study during the summers with Houston Ballet, Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and others.
In 2009, she graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Cincinnati with a B.F.A. in ballet where she studied on scholarship under the direction of Jiang
Qi, Yi-Qi Cheng, Dierdre Carberry, Michael Tevlin and Shellie Cash. While in college, she also danced professionally as a member of the Tulsa Ballet II, and the Louisville Ballet. Last year Kristina joined the Festival Ballet Providence.
This will be her second season as a dancer with the company. She has also performed as a guest artist with the Dayton Ballet and Kentucky Ballet Theatre. Kristina has been a teacher for over 6 years and has studied pedagogy, anatomy and kinesiology. She currently teaches ballet, pointe and modern dance to Rhode Island students.