Peter Rockford Espiritu, Tau's artistic director and choreographer, is seeking students 6 through 12, and 13 to 19 to launch a next-generation performance group, Tau (y2).

Auditions for prospects will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6 at the Ballet Hawaii studios at Dole Cannery. All levels of technical ability, from beginners to advanced, as well as different genres are welcome.

Dancers are asked to bring a short audition dance or performance piece. Street, hip-hop, hula and other ethnic dances and styles of movements are encouraged. Judges will include Marie Takazawa, veteran dancer, choreographer and teacher, with assistance from Tau company dancers Kamakoa Page and Calvin Marquez Jr.

Chosen dancers will attend classes that will be held from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Sundays at the Ballet Hawaii site, on the second floor of Dole Cannery.

Those selected will initially work in the new Tau (y2) group but will also learn technique that for roles in a Hawai'i-Japan Youth Exchange Concert and other community appearances.