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Competition Dance Awards for Kalama Polynesian Dancers

8/23/2016

The Polynesian Dance World is well - known World-Wide. Tahitian dance is widely popular in Tahiti, The Mainland, and even in Mexico. The Hula Dance is popular all over including in Japan. When I started teaching online classes this past Summer most of my clients were not even in the U.S. I have clients in Israel, Russia, London, Turkey, etc... it is just mind blowing.
One of the reasons why Kalama Polynesian Dancers is so unique is because I believe that our group shouldn't just be a show group or performance group. I also believe that working with other creative ideas within the group and with other groups is a way for the dancer and even the Kumu to evolve.
So I try to do as much as I can even if I would love to do it all. We have Traditional and Professional Polynesian Shows, Fire Shows, we Volunteer for the Community, we have a Halau with about 100 students, we have amazing instructors, we have a NonProfit that we dedicate ourselves to, we host workshops, and MORE!
It was only a couple of years ago that we started competing in Polynesian Dance Competitions. With all the things we do (we are not a group who solely does only competing) we decided to add competitions into the mix. Although we are from Colorado that has not stopped any of the group members to travel and compete with all the Big Dogs.
I am amazed at how well we represent ourselves in such a small amount of competitions we have attended. To compete is actually super fun. I love seeing my dancers talk and bond with other groups and instructors. I love the whole competition atmosphere because you allow yourself to be vulnerable. You allow yourself to be judged by people that you don't know but ... win or lose you gain a sense of self-confidence and determination to do better. You learn from other dancers, drummers, instructors as well as growing your own style and having a goal to do better next time around.
In competition there will always be obstacles (just like life itself) but Competition helps the Polynesian Dancer remain humble about their dance and also to understand that winning is not everything. It is picking up the work and moving on to the next. It is knowing that no one can define who you are.
I am blessed to have Kalama in my life and extremely proud of those that have also placed in Competitions.
We have put a mark on Colorado. We are a land locked state and not on any Coast but we are oozing with Aloha and we will share it to the WORLD!