Tupu Tafa'ifa Ori Tahiti(Dance of Tahiti)Workshop

Iorana, 

Greetings to you all from the Island of Tahiti, first, I would like to introduce myself. 

My name is Fiao'o Tuitagava'a Fonoti-White from Samoa and American Samoa, I'm now currently live here in Fort Benning with my dear husband whom serving in the US Army, so I want to give this opportunity to use my talents to share with you all. I've been dancing since the age of 3, was my first dance to do the "taualuga" dance for my grandfather. My love for dance starts very young from my mother, instilling her confidence and her love for dance, songs, performing and women of her village Vaito'omuli Palauli in the big Island of Savai'i, they were a huge part of my journey, they've really shaped me up. There's a dance group from my mother's village called U'amea A'asa re-known used to tour around Europe, and I've watched my aunty and uncles and close relatives members of this dance group practices everyday, and that is the dynamic and my determination deep rooted from, in learning my own Samoan culture and dances. 

Growing up I was very much involved in Sunday School Youth activities and events then heading to College, I continued focusing in studying the South Pacific region, dances, cultures and way of life. I was crowned as a first Miss Uesilana College and Miss Culture Day, during my reign, I was bestowed to lead and perform the ava ceremony for the United Nation Organization arrival in Samoan soil in Savai'i, And have many more achievements throughout my college days, that dance was the thriving force behind it all, to keep me going. 

I've been dancing all my life, If I can remember, I took a break for couple of months and get right back to it, what can I say, when it comes to something you are passionate about, it'll always keep coming to wake you up. Moving to Arizona I joined the South Sea Island Magic, under the direction of Laukau Irenio and Kaea Mauna Lani under the direction of Matalena Anglemire Faumuina in Arizona, while dancing for them I was also a choreographer for both groups helping out my kumu whom taught me well in Hawai'ian hula(auana)dance. Then I decided to move to California in search of an authentic Tahitian instructor, where I was introduced to Torea King by my dear friend. She's the owner and founder of Varua Tahiti e Tahitian Dance school in Carlsbad CA. She shaped me and refine my steps from head to toes, it was the best decision of my life to find an exceptional Tahitian teacher. I made it to the Las Vegas and San Jose competition we were placed 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, in different categories. 

 I have been teaching throughout my whole life coming up, start in the age of 12, I've learned through teaching and being able to be a better teacher through learning all together in Samoa, American Samoa, Hawai'i, Arizona, Missouri and Alaska, is the place that really redefine me as a teacher, an instructor and mainly as a dancer. I was a quest artists for the Fairbanks Summer Art Festival every year, and have formed my own dance business name, called Tupu Tafa'ifa Polynesian Dance since then. It's named after my father's family in American Samoa, in honor of my late grandfather Fonoti Aufata. I've been teaching all year round and continue in Alaska for 12 years.

  So now Georgia I'm here, come on out and lets move and groove into the beauty and exotic swaying away, to the drums and rhythms of Tahiti. 

Hope to see you there, 

Maururu.

WHEN: NOV 5th 130pm to 400pm 

Make your payments through the website, if you have any issue contact me anytime.

Promo ended Oct 24th, and will go back to the original cost 

There will be a drawing for prizes. 

Please dress comfortable, bring a ie lavalava/pareo/sarong if you don't have one, will have extra you can use. 

Check in: 130pm

Start:200pm-4pm

Age:12-Up

Location: Performance Dance Center 4187 Milgen Rd, Columbbus GA 31909

I'm bringing water if you need it and Foa is preparing her delicious Island dreams for snacks, yum Butter Mochi, Gava cake, Samoan custard pie and panipopo. If you have any question for her, contact her on here ph# (435)224-3280 https://www.facebooki.com/IslandDreams11