Thank you for your interest in Hula Hut. I am the owner of Hula Hut Polynesian Dance. I want to share with you a bit more about myself, and my passion for Polynesian dance and culture.
I have always loved to dance! Some of my earliest memories are of taking ballet and tap dance lessons when I was just three years old. From the age of three up through high school I was often enrolled in some type of dance class, whether it be jazz, modern, ballet, point, gymnastics, or ethnic dancing.
Around the age of ten, I found a dance studio on the east coast, where I grew up, that offered Hawaiian and Tahitian dance lessons. Of all the other forms of dance that I had taken previously, I immediately feel in love with Polynesian dancing after my first few classes. Over the years, I performed in many shows, competed in several competitions and won many awards dancing Hawaiian, Tahitian, as well as several other forms of dance.
It wasn’t until years later though, as an adult, when I moved to the west coast that I realized that there was so much more to hula. After taking lessons from a variety of kumu in California, I realized that there was a lot that I didn’t know, and still don’t know. Learning is life long!
I continue to take all opportunities to further educate myself and educate others of the Polynesian culture, history, and to break stereotypes. Polynesian dancing is a culturally sacred and beautiful art form that unfortunately is frequently misunderstood and stereotyped simply as grass skirts, coconut bras, wiggling the hips, and waving the arms side to side. There's so much more to hula!
Whether it is taking a class, visiting the islands, reading a book, watching a documentary, searching the web or speaking with others who were born into these cultures I continue my own growth. Although, not born into the Polynesian culture or raised in the islands I feel great respect for the culture and feel that it is partially my responsibility as a cultural dancer to change people’s blurred views of these cultures.
After relocating to Minnesota in 2005, I founded Hula Hut Polynesian Dance as a way to bring authentic Polynesian dance to the community and to begin changing stereotypes through education, performing and teaching my knowledge to others.
In addition to performing and teaching I like to contribute back to the Hawaiian culture for the gift of hula. Over the years, a percent of what Hula Hut has brought in through performances has been donated to a variety of Polynesian organizations to support and preserve polynesian cultures.
Moving forward, in 2006 I relocated to the Fingerlakes region of New York. I love the area and plan to stay here for a long time!
These past 4 years, I have continued to stay busy dancing at a variety of private and community events. Looking towards the future, it is my goal to once again teach Polynesian dance classes in the local community. I hope to form a local "Ohana" or family. I look forward to connecting with others in the community and the larger New York state.
Over the years of dancing, what I have enjoyed most is bringing joy and a smile to others. I invite you to check out the rest of my website and links that I have listed to learn about Polynesian dance and culture. I am pleased to share my knowledge and passion of this sacred art form with you.
Mahalo for your interest in Hula Hut and I look forward to dancing with you!
