About Us

E Komo Mai! Welcome! 

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Julianne Schulte ​

Owner & Instructor 

Julianne is dance instructor and artistic director for the group. Julianne grew up on the US East Coast not too far from New York City and has loved and danced Polynesian styles of dance for much of her life. She started dancing ballet and tap at just three years old. Due to her grandmother's and mother's love of Hawai'i and also dancing hula, Julianne was introduced to Polynesian styles (Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori) of dance at age ten at the Star Performing Arts Academy in New Jersey. Julianne instantly fell in love with Polynesian styles of dance and has been hooked ever since. 

After college and a dream to live in year round sunshine at the beach, Julianne moved to the central coast of California. While attending graduate school, she continued her studies in hula and ori Tahiti taking classes and workshops at halaus (traditional schools) from a variety of kumu (master teachers).  A few years later, Julianne moved to the mid-west and due to geographic barriers (and before the days of online teaching) and having no halau, dance group or instruction nearby, she was inspired by previous teachers to start Hula Hut to continue dancing and to share her passion with others. Since 2006, Hula Hut has been based out of Ithaca, NY. 

Julianne especially enjoys connecting with others, having lots of fun and laughter at classes and get togethers, choreographing, researching, costume/attire selection and creation, performing and event production. Julianne has over 30 years dancing and over 25 years of experience teaching dance though continues to be a haumana (student) too. Thanks to technology, there are more opportunities to continue learning from kumu and dance instructors in Hawaii and around the world. Some favorite dance workshops and lessons attended have been with Kumu Robert Uluwehi Cazimero, Kumu Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewett, Kuana Torres Kahele, Kumu Vicky Holt Takamine, Kanoe Miller, Auntie Doll (of Maui) and Tunui Tully. 

Julianne is appreciative of all Kumu, instructors and dancers for the ike (knowledge) they have graciously shared. It is critical to her (and the group) to respect and preserve what has been taught and shared only with permission to protect and preserve hula lineages. 

Julianne also has a B.A. in Sociology, M.A. in Clinical Psychology and is a LMFT. Her studies included coursework in Mutli-Cultural Diversity and anthropology. Her other love is horses and she is a P.A.T.H. Certified Instructor. 

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Eileen Randall

Instructor

Eileen (Baglivio) Randall began her journey into Hawaiian culture and dance when she joined hula hālau Na Mele o ke Kai under the direction of Sandy Rodriguez in 2006.  She spent several years learning Hawaiian hula, Tahitian, and Māori dance.  She performed at local and private events throughout the central coast of California and taught keiki (children) hula classes.  After Sandy’s retirement in 2008, Eileen continued to dance with the hālau under the tutelage of Kumu Sylvia Keʻalalauaʻeokalani Hambly.  Eileen was bestowed the title of alakaʻi (leader) in the hālau and taught keiki hula classes, assisted with adult classes, and began learning the art of Hawaiian oli (chanting).  Eileen had the opportunity to dance during the performances of visiting Hawaiian musicians such as HAPA and Keola Beamer.

In 2013, Eileen moved to Upstate NY and joined Hula Hut under the direction of Julianne Schulte.  Eileen brought her previous knowledge of Hawaiian, Tahitian, and Māori dance to her new hālau.  In 2016, she became an alakaʻi once again helping with classes and teaching kahiko and ʻauana style of hula.  Eileen continues to strengthen her knowledge of Hawaiian and Polynesian cultures, including studying ʻōlelo Hawaiʻi (Hawaiian language).  She also participates in virtual classes such as those offered by I Leʻa Ka Hula workshops to build her knowledge of hula and Hawaiian practices.

In addition to dancing and teaching, Eileen enjoys choreographing new dances, creating performance costumes, and learning to play the ʻukulele.  She also makes various types of lei and spends time investigating the best local flora to include in lei making here in the Finger Lakes.  

Rumi Yamasaki

Lead Dancer 

Rumi became fascinated with hula after watching Leiohu Rena's beautiful dancing and started attending her halau (school) in Kyoto, Japan in 2004. She learned to hula and performed for several years with the halau in Japan. Leiohu's kumu is Leilani Alama. Leilani was the 1957 Aloha Queen and a judge for competitions such as the Merrie Monarch. 

Rumi moved to Ithaca, NY in 2010 and joined our dance family in 2014. She enjoys learning hula kahiko, hula auana and oli (chant) from Julianne and Eileen, and enjoys performing. 

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Land Acknowledgement: 

Hula Hut holds classes on the traditional homelands of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' (the Cayuga Nation), members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.  As a perpetuator of Hawaiian hula, we recognize the dispossession of the Gayogo̱hó꞉nǫ' people and honor their connection to the land and waters of the area.  We similarly acknowledge the yielding of the Hawaiian Kingdom by Queen Liliʻuokalani acting under duress to protect the Hawaiian people and the illegal occupation of the Hawaiian Kingdom by the United States.  ​​​​​