Makalina

Born on the island of Guam, located southwest of the Marianas Islands in the Pacific, Makalina has lived around the Marianas, Caroline and Hawaiian islands most of her life. A graduate of Fordham University with a B.A. in Theatre and Drama, she has studied ballet, jazz, modern and tap with various teachers in New York City. She was under scholarship with Rod Rodgers Dance Company and has performed with Linda Diamond's Dance Company as well as with Denisa Reye's & Friends. She has appeared in several theatrical productions as Liat in South Pacific, summerstock and was on the national tour of the King & I with Yul Brynner. She has worked on films, television, commercials and daytime television. Makalina has always come back to her first love - Polynesian dance.

With her background, she became a member of the ALLNATIONS Dance Company, a multi-ethnic group of dancers from various cultures around the world. Makalina represented the South Pacific Islands of Tahiti, New Zealand and Hawaii and toured with them throughout the Eastern U.S., Alaska, Asia, Guam and Hawaii. She has also performed with various Polynesian Revues in the NY Tri-state area and at the world famous Hawaii Kai under the artistic direction of Uilani Walton. Makalina has her own company Hawaiian Express & The Tiny Bubble Band. With her husband JT, they perform Hawaii music using the traditional Hawaiian steel guitar played by JT and the ukulele which she plays. She and her husband are members of the Hawaiian Steel Guitar Association, an organization whose goal is to preserve and promote Hawaiian music and dance. Makalina gives lectures-demonstration workshops on Polynesian dance. She also teaches these different dance forms (Hula, Tahitian etc.) at the Lotus Music & Dance.

For more information, call (718)768-6182 or email maka@idt.net.

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