banner
Programs and Info

Dancing "Tehani"
Dance / Music / History

  • Programs: Dance Around the World; Middle Eastern Dance; Hawaiian Myth and Ancient Dance; Dances of Polynesia; Latin Dance & History

  • Ages: K-6, Middle School, Adult

Video Preview


Dancing "Tehani"
is an international dance champion (Belly Dancer of the Universe Competition 2008), professional performer/choreographer and published writer. With her background in Cultural Anthropology, her multidisciplinary presentations and performances focus on the cross-cultural link between movement and community.

Beginning her dance career at age eight, today her dance repertoire includes: the Polynesian dances of the seven island nations (including fire poi), International and American style ballroom & Latin, street salsa, hip hop, West African dance and Middle Eastern dance (classical, tribal and fusion).

An avid traveler and activist, Tehani is involved with humanitarian and conservation projects in the Philippines, Costa Rica, India and the United States. She shares her experiences both teaching and performing dance all over the world in her programs.

Tehani


Tehani dedicates all her performances to her father who inspired her to dream big and follow through. She hopes to share that inspiration to dream through her art and work.

Programs and Descriptions:

The Dances of Polynesia

Island hop with Tehani!  Learn about the dances and rhythms from the islands of Polynesia. Programs covers the geography and culture of the seven islands of Polynesia: Hawaii, Samoa, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Fiji, Tahiti, Tonga and Marquesas. A talk on the purposes of these dances within their cultural framework. Audience participation.

Hula Kahiko: Hawaiian Myth & Ancient Dance

Learn the history, culture and legends behind hula kahiko: the ancient dance of the Hawaiian islands while learning its rhythms and steps.

World Dance: Tradition & Fusion

Discover a whole new world where dance is not just entertainment, where movement places a crucial role in all spheres of life, where dance IS life.  See how dances are being preserved and respectfully blended to promote messages of cultural understanding and peace.

Testimonials

“Jennifer is truly dedicated not only to her dancing profession, but also to the humanities in general. She has traveled abroad… and has brought back a wealth of cultural knowledge that only adds richness to her dance repertoire… She involves herself in numerous endeavors and seeks creativity and loving kindness whenever and wherever she performs.  She has truly been an asset to our Center and the university, but continues to be for the community at large.”
~ Cynthia Schultheis, Assistant Director, CSULB Multicultural Center

"With eloquent writing and lively performances filled with compassion and humanity, Jennifer's work never ceases to touch lives with love and understanding.  A remarkable young woman, through Artists for Humanity, she has impacted her community with messages of peace and beauty". 
~ Marguerite Kusuhara, Anthropologist and Professional Performer

“Tehani is very fluid and graceful… She dances like water!”
~ Artists for Humanity spectator