 |
The Kauhane Performance Group is renowned for it's fabulous
shows featuring award-winning Polynesian dancers. The Kauhane Polynesian
Dance School is proud to offer classes in Hawaiian, Tahitian, Maori, Samoan, and other Polynesian island dance, with the main focus of teaching in Hawaiian. Teaching is in both kahiko (ancient) and 'auana (modern) styles of dance. Students learn language, culture, and history as an integral part of their dance lessons.Come experience this beautiful dance form which has been practiced for hundreds of years throughout the Pacific Islands. Contact Information: Kumu Paddy Kauhane Halau Hula Ka’Uhane O Ka Pakipika The Spirit of the Pacific Cultural Society Polynesian Dance School and Performance Group 11537 - 236B Street Maple Ridge, BC V4R 2C5 Tel: 604-466-0763 Fax: 604-466-0793 Email: info@hulaspirit.com |
Paddy Kauhane, school director, was born was born in Honolulu, Oahu, and started dancing as a very young child. “My brother, sister and I were so fortunate to have grown up with our Uncle, Eddie Kahea Beckley, who taught us that being Hawaiian was special. It was through him that we fostered our love of our culture. Music, dance, talking story, lessons in history, food, and language, were a part of our lives. We didn’t fully appreciate how valuable his lessons were until he passed away. We consider it our kuleana (responsibility) to carry on the traditions that he cared so much to share with us. I share those same lessons and traditions with the students in my school.”  After moving to Canada, Paddy continued her lessons in dance with Kalaya Nelson, a former student of Aunty Maiki Aiu Lake. Aunty Kalaya today continues to teach in her school in Port Coquitlam, BC. Paddy has continued to foster her learning by attending workshops in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California, and of course, Hawai’i. She has been honoured to learn from such hula masters as Charlie and Nina Maxwell, George Holokai, Blaine Kamalani Kia, Rita Moon, Leialoha Lim ‘Amina, Vicki Holt-Takamine, Pi’ilani Smith, Keali’i Reichel, Mapuana de Silva, Mae Klein, Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, George Naope, Coline Aiu, Sonny Ching, and Leilani Rivera Bond, and Hawaiian language masters, Puakea Nogelmeier and Kaliko Beamer Trapp.Since it’s inception in 1999, Ka’Uhane O Ka Pakipika Hula Halau has grown to nearly 150 haumana (students), ranging in age from 2.5 years to 70+, and is the largest Polynesian dance school in Canada. The school is the proud recipient of the Top Polynesian Group award from the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival for many years, including 2006. The school performs regularly throughout the year at private and commercial venues and continues to travel and learn throughout Canada and the US, including Hawaii. The students are proud to have entertained crowds at the Pacific National Exhibition (Vancouver), Germaine’s Luau (Oahu, Hawaii), Sheraton Waikiki (Oahu, Hawaii) and many, many more community and private events. The students will travel to Vancouver, Washington and Sacramento, California in 2006 and to California and Hawaii in 2007 to attend hula and cultural retreats. Classes are offered for beginner to advanced levels, and for ages preschool to adult. See the Class Schedule for details.
Shannon Watkins, Alaka’i, was born and raised in Port Moody, B.C. She began Polynesian dancing at the age of 5 with Kalaya Nelson. In addition to Polynesian, Shannon has also trained in Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Musical Theatre, Hip Hop, Modern and Voice. But it is Polynesian that continues to be Shannon’s passion. Shannon has received numerous awards in competition and was named Top Tahitian Dancer at the Pacific West Performing Arts Festival in 2003 & 2004 & 2006. Since she has been dancing with Aunty Paddy, Shannon has had the opportunity to take classes from such hula masters as Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu, Chinky Mahoe, Sonny Ching, Keali’i Ceballos, Vicky Holt Takamine, Pi’ilani Smith, Leialoha Amina, Hirohiti Tematahotoa, Maelia Lobenstein-Carter, Frank Kawaikapuokalani Hewitt and Uncle George Holokai |
Copyright © Kauhane School of Polynesian Dance 2004-2007 - All Rights Reserved
Photographs by DG Photography
website by internetimage.ca
Hula Dancer Logo © Coconut Info Classic Clip Art www.coconutinfo.com