Title: Professional Dance Instructor / Alaka’i Hula
Years Experience: 25 years
“it’s all in the knees, not the hips.”
Aloha! I would like to share my love and passion for the art of Hula and Tahitian dance with you! My classes are designed for both the serious student who aspires to perform professionally and for those who just want to have fun and exercise while learning the beautiful dances of Hawaii and Tahiti.
Hawaiian Hula -You will learn basic and advanced techniques that will develop the graceful hand and body movements necessary to tell the stories of Hawaii through its music.
Tahitian -You will learn exciting and colorful dances while moving to fast-paced drum rhythms with an infectious beat.
Grace Kalake has been teaching Hula and Tahitian dancing for over 20 years. Her talents are not only confined to such, but also expand to Philippine folk and modern dancing as well. Since the age of 5, she has been performing and showcasing her skills at numerous events. At a young age of 15, her experience that she acquired over time allowed her to start teaching and choreographing songs.
Grace Kalake is quite the international performer and instructor. As life is ever-changing, she continues to seek more knowledge and improve her skills by attending Hawaiian Hula and Tahitian workshops within the USA and even other countries. Her main goal is to provide the best instruction to those that wish to learn the dances and culture of Hawaii and other Polynesian islands.
Halau Hula O’ Kalake was established by Grace to pass on the knowledge she gathered through practice, teachings, and honored kumu’s; but its main purpose is to survive the Hawaiian culture not only through its own people, but also the people who at heart carry the spirit of Aloha.
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
* Assistant Choreographer-Maharlika Dancers USA 1992-1995
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor -Likha Dancers 1995-1997
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor-Little Likha Dancers 1995-1997
* Choreographer /Dance Instructor-Clark Hatch Gym International 1997-2000
* Choreographer/Artistic Director-Lovely Hula Hands Concert April 1, 2000
* Choreographer/Artistic Director-My Hawaiian Wedding Production June 5, 2000
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor -The Wahine Dancers-Philippines 1997-2000
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor -Grace Wahine Dancers & Co. 2001-present
* Choreographer for the Spring Breeze Summer Concert March 15, 2003
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor -Hugh Smith Recreation Center; Arlington, TX 2001 – 2002
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor -Lee Park Recreation Center; Irving, TX Jan. 2003 – May 2006
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor-Fil_Am Arts Center; Garland, TX Sept. 2002 – Dec. 2003
* Choreographer/Dance Instructor-Me and My Shadow School of Dance, Inc. Aug. 2003 – June 2005
* Choreographer/dance instructor-Amanda Dance Express; Grand Prairie, TX Feb. 2004 – June 2005
* Hula/Tahitian Dance Instructor-ISIS Dance School; Hurst, TX April 2004 – Present
* Hula/Tahitian Dance Instructor-NRH Recreation Center; NRH, TX Jan. 2006-Present
* Hula/Tahitian Dance Instructor-Heritage Senior Center; Irving, TX Jan. 2006-Present
* Hula/Tahitian Dance Instructor-Grace Hula Dance Studio; Keller, TX Dec. 2005-Present
* Hula/Tahitian Dance Instructor-Senter Park Rec Center; Irving, TX June. 2006-Present
* Have performed more than 130 shows a year both for private and public environment.
KUMU HULA AND TAHITIAN
1. Kumu Pattye Kealohalani Wright ( Kahiko, Au`ana, Tahitian Ahuroa, Aparima and Ote’a)
2. Kumu Chinky Mahoe` – Hula Auana
3. Kumu Ellen Gay De La Rosa of Polynesian Cultural Center – Hula Au`ana
4. Kumu Keith Kalanikau Awai – Polynesian Cultural Center- Hula Kahiko
5. Belinda Miranda of Manutahi Tahiti – Tahitian Ote`a, Ahuroa and Aparima
6. Tali Goeas of Tahiti Fete – Tahitian Ahuroa, Aparima and Ote`a
7. Kareva and Moena of Maeva Tahiti- Tahitian Ote`a, Ahuroa and Aparima
8. Roiti Sylva – Tahitian Aparima and Ahuroa
9. Kareva of Dance Tahiti- Tahitian Ori
10. Kumu Apo of Kau`i- Hula Kahiko and Au`ana
11. Kumu Maelia Loebenstein Carter – Hula Au`ana
12. Kumu Snowbird Bento of Ka Pa Hula O Ka Lei Lehue– Hula Kahiko
13. Kumu Shirley Recca of Halau Hula`O Namakahulali- Hula Au`ana
14. Kumu Leilomi Ho of Keali`ika`apunihonua Ke`ena A`o Hula – Hula Au`ana
15. Kumu James De La Cruz of Na Opio O`ko`olau Hula Halau– Hula Au`ana
16. Kumu Harmony Kaleika`apuni Brighter of Halau Hula Ho`ohenoikauallilehua– Hula Au`ana
17. Kumu Kapi`olani Ha`o of Halau Ke Kia`I A`o Hula– Hula Au`ana
18. Kumu Iwalani Kalima of Hula Halau O Kou Lima Nani E- Hula Au`ana
19. Pele Dee Lee- Fire Poi Twirling
20. Keito St James of Hula Halau Ka`epa – Hula Implement / Tahitian Drumming /Samoan
21. Kumu Mapuana de Silva – Hula Halau `O Ilima
BELLY DANCE TEACHERS
1. Isis of Isis Dance Studio- Cabaret Belly Dance Style /drumming
2. Sadiy’ya of Tribal Drums – Tribal Belly Dance Style
3. Zuzu – Tribal dance –Cabaret and Tribal Style
UKULELE and HAWAIIAN LANGUAGE
1. Aunty Kaunaloa Weilenman
