Polynesian Dance - The more than 100,000 islands that dot the Pacific Ocean form three groups; Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia--the biggest being Polynesia meaning "many islands." It contains, among others, the Society Islands, Hawaii, Samoa, Tonga and New Zealand. Though the languages of these islands are similar in nature, the dance forms are varied.

 
Students of Makalina, Left: Lotus' Dancing Across Cultural Borders 2008, Hudson Guild Theatre NYC, Right: CAPA Festival 2008, NYC

Polynesian dance classes taught at Lotus by Makalina Gallagher include Hula, Men's Hula and Tahitian.

Tamara Bejar teaches a beginners Tahitian dance classs where students will be introduced to traditional styles of Tahitian ori (dance) with a concentration on learning basic movements (hands and feet) and aspects of the Tahitian culture--language, songs, history, folklore and poetry

Instructors:  Makalina, Tamara Bejar