Aunty Julie is a lifelong dancer who began dancing at the age of 4 with San Francisco's Kumu Hula Nelani Rogers. There she learned her basics and formed many sisterhood bonds, many of which are now current, leaders, teachers and Kumus in the Polynesian dance community in the Bay Area.

 

As a teen she was invited to perform with the professional Polynesian Dance Troupe, Spirit of Polynesia.  There under the directorship of Kimo and Jill Moane Keala Baird she gained vast knowledge and experience in showmanship, traditional hula and tahitian dances and continued to strengthen her sisterhood and connections in the community.  She also learned and lived the life of a traveling performer.  The high level of showmanship with Spirit of Polynesia came from the lineage of Dances of the Pacific's Betty Lei'ala Hughs and Tiare Clifford's Tiare Otea. 

 

She continued to broaden and deepen her knowledge and training through the years and had the opportunity to learn from Makau Foster DeCuvellerie, Aunty Roiti Silva and Aunty Nona Beamer. She has been an awarded soloist and group dancer in various events throughout the years.

 

In her 20's Aunty Julie began teaching at WSPA, Daly City in proper Tahitian technique. 

 

Aunty Julie was blessed with the opportunity to achieve her uniki rites ceremonies through Kumu Hula Sybil Pruett from Waikoloa, HI to continue teaching in the love and light of the Islands. We represent her lineage as well as lineage of Jill Baird's.  We continue to be blessed with guidance from Aunty Sybil and teach with her belief...

"As long as you teach from a place of LOVE and give all the gratitude to God and his angels for our blessings, gifts and opportunities."

 

In 'Ori Tahiti, dances of the Island of Tahiti, Aunty Julie is very grateful to have attained certificates from Le Grande Ballet and The Conservetoire of Tahiti in Papeete.  We are ambassadors of the Tahitian culture and are grateful to have mentorship direct from Tahiti such as Laetiicia and Lyntina Perry of Kautakas as well as Hiro Tematahotoa of Hanatika.  We have also been blessed with the opportunity to learn online due to covid with Tahia Cambet. We are excited and eager to learn from our passionate teachers and Mentors who have all so graciously and generously shared the love of their culture with all of us.

 

Uncle Mike has been blessed to learn drumming from Uncle Tennyson Lum, Jay Medieros, Sam Almiera, Aaron Sencil, and Mark Adam all amazing bay area Tahitian Drummers! We are truly grateful for those times well spent jamming on the drums together and sharing the knowledge with us.

 

OUR MISSION is to provide a safe space for dancers to nurture and deepen their passion for dance and provide a community of a support system for all dancers to grow in confidence.  Tehani is a place to learn ALOHA, MANA'O and it's MANA a holy trinity from the islands. To share it's light, our sister halaus Tiare O Te Ao in Hercules and Rahiti in, SSF join us in ensuring that we all provide the opportunities for a Tehani/Kahealani Dancer to participate in shows, competitions and productions that showcase our love for the culture art and dance of Polynesia.  We'd love for you to come dance with us!