Tahiti Mana Tahitian Dance School

I was scoping out Tahiti Mana about 2 years ago when they were teaching classes in Manoa, but I never could make the times with my work schedule. Then bam, covid happened! I was so happy to find out virtual classes were being offered. I signed up and have been dancing with them since Summer 2020. I am loving it.I danced Tahitian on and off for 6 years, I've danced with 3 different groups. I personally felt like I didn't progress much over the years. However......... let me tell you... Nalini explains how to do moves so thoroughly and it's sooooooooooooo helpful. Sometimes I wonder why my previous instructors haven't given me advice like how Nalini has, but this should show the passion and dedication Nalini has for improving her students' skills no matter what level. What I also enjoy about her classes is that she talks about the culture and history of Tahiti and Tahitian dance. It's so important to keep talking about culture and how it influences our daily lives. This is my own opinion, but I think its a bit irresponsible for someone to practice a cultural dance and not learn its significance & history. Plus, it makes us all better dancers when we fully understand our relationship with culture and dance.

Nalini and Mana have cultivated such a beautiful community. I really appreciate the care they put into creating a welcoming space for drummers and dancers, and sharing the cultural significance and history of everything we learn. So grateful!

Me and my daughter has been dancing with Tahiti Mana for about 2years now. We both started with no Tahitian dance experience but the classes are well separated by experience level and everyone can enjoy at your own pace. The teacher Ms. Nalini and her husband Mana is welcoming, sweet and has lots of knowledge to share. We are so glad that we joined Tahiti Mana. I don't know where to start but one of the fun thing is, I get to take the same class with my daughter. Now we are in level 2, and there is a mixed age class on Thursday which mommy and daughter can learn and dance in the same class. The sound of live drum is always exciting to dance to. Another thing is, it is a good opportunity to build a confidence. Even though my daughter hasn't been dancing too long, last year she competed in Heiva I Honolulu. She made friends in class and they practice hard for the competition and to see all of them shine on stage is so touching. We truly appreciate being a part of Tahiti Mana. My daughter said she wants to dance till she is 100years old. lol

I have been taking classes from Tahiti Mana for almost two years now. I had stopped dancing for over ten years and I was nervous to get back into it. I had just moved from Maui and had heard so many stories about groups not being very welcoming to new students. I looked at a lot of groups on line, there was a silly picture of the Tahiti Mana group together enjoying a "Crazy Hairdo" contest. They looked like just the fun living kind of group I wanted to be a part of.I was right. I messaged them on Facebook and got an immediate response. When I showed up for my first class Nalini and Mana were so welcoming. They are so humble and amazing teachers.The group itself was just as fun loving and sweet at the pictures on their FB and IG. No drama just a true group of people that have become like a second family to me here on Oahu.Last summer I had the coolest opportunity to participate in a competition with the group at the Heiva I Kauai. And we won grand champions!I can't say enough about this group that welcomes dancers with any (or none at all) experience.

My son and daughter have been going to Tahiti Mana for about a year and a half and they absolutely love dancing and look forward to going to class. My daughter entered her first heiva as a soloist in August 2018 and perform beautifully. She has gained so much confidence since dancing. My main reason why I take my kids to Tahiti Mana is that not only do they learn to dance but they also learn about the tahitian culture. Theres alot more beauty and meaning when you know what your dancing about. Mana and Nalini are super nice and very passionate about what they teach and share about the Tahitian culture. Classes are very constructive and fun at the same time and all the teachers are really patient with the kids/adults. It's a place for all ages really. The entire environment is very welcoming and like family and everyone encourages everyone. We love going to Tahiti Mana.

Whether you have Tahitian dance experience or not, Tahiti Mana is the place to be! My daughter and I began taking classes with Nalini a little over a year ago and I'm so happy we did. First, Nalini and her husband Mana are welcoming and genuinely kind. Nalini is an excellent teacher, breaking down techniques so they are easier to learn. She is positive and encouraging and makes every class enjoyable. There are several classes available, from keiki all the way to advanced. Regardless of the level a dancer is in, there are regular opportunities to perform. Just in the past year there have been two public Student Showcases, an in house solo competition, the Tahiti Mana Heiva i Vaihi, and other performances, often benefiting various causes. In addition to learning the songs and dances and language of Tahiti, you'll also learn costume making for performances. Collecting plants and flowers and creating beautiful costumes is truly a labor of love. You will soon begin to constantly have an eye out for ti leaves, lauae fern, various colors of bougainvillea, plumeria, hibiscus, etc. Joining Tahiti Mana has been so rewarding. I often say that as the self-professed world's worst dancer, I've been challenged to practice a growth mindset!

Tahiti Mana school of dance run by a lovely couple Mana and Nalini is a truly great place to learn Tahitian Culture and dance. My daughter has been dancing for them for the past 5 years and it has become apart of our family. You will never feel judged by anyone here even if it's your very first time dancing. They offer classes in Kaneohe and Manoa. If you want to experience Tahitian Dance and Culture in a relaxed and warm atmosphere this is the place to go!

Authentic. Family Friendly. Outstanding teaching and choreography. Embraces dancers of all backgrounds and experience levels. We have been dancing with Tahiti Mana for four years now. We started when my middle daughter was three years old. I was pregnant with my youngest daughter during dance classes and she has basically grown up in the studio, carried on my back or crawling and toddling across the floor. The classes make you sweat hard to live drumming during drills. But they are also wonderful with kids and go out of their way to build a family atmosphere. We enjoy the annual kids holiday party (including santa) and Halloween costume parties. I am thankful they just smile when I bring my toddler to class with me, since as a busy working mother of three, I can only do extracurricular activities if I'm able to bring my kids along. We love the annual student showcases where they put together a beautiful professional quality show but include all the dancers (including kids and beginners) and teach us how to make our own costumes. I also love how they truly emphasize the cultural aspects of learning tahitian dance and not simply learning moves. They teach the language, history and cultural significance of the songs and costume making. They have thrived in the age of social distancing by investing in sound/lighting equipment to make an outstanding online class experience on Zoom. Attending classes is always a highlight of the week. Even my kids love going with me, as they look forward to seeing the other kids there too and play together while the parents dance

I heard of Tahiti Mana through a friend and when I started taking classes here, it was my first time dancing again in years. I've danced hip hop, ballet, and jazz, although I haven't danced in about two years due to a knee injury that I ended up getting surgery for. I take the adult level 1 class and it's great because Nalini explains the fundamentals and technique very well and goes slow at a good pace, but still is challenging and gives me a chance to build my endurance, since Tahitian uses an entirely different group of muscles from the other forms of dance I used to do. I've had a lot of fun taking class here and it's a great form of exercise and stress reliever. Taking classes here has helped me fall in love with dance again! Another plus is learning about Tahitian culture through Nalini and how to interpret stories through dance.

My daughters who are ages 8 and 5 have been dancing with Tahiti Mana for almost a year, they started Oct 2017. They started with no experience in Tahitian dancing. Mana and his wife Nalini welcomed our family with open arms.When my girls first started all levels practiced together then as the classes grew Nalini separated the classes by level. My 5 year old is currently in the level 1 & my older daughter is in level 2. They start in separate rooms then towards the end, level 1 will join the level 2. They enjoy themselves so much & look forward to Tahitian on Sundays.My girls have participated in the Fall 2017 and Spring 2018 showcase at Ala Moana Center Stage. These showcases bring families together. We learned how to make the showcase costumes together.