After School Enrichment Program
West Hills - Woodland Hills - Canoga Park
San Fernando Valley
Akemi Kalea Hula Halau
PURPOSE
Akemi Kalea Hula is more than just a hula dance class, it’s part of a greater ohana that through practices and performances the keikis (children) learn discipline, body awareness, self control, confidence, teamwork, leadership, and Hawaiian Cultural lessons. It’s a beautiful positive way to spend one’s precious childhood learning about hula and these life long lessons of health and wellness, imaginative meditations, and living with aloha.
PHOTOS
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Tammy's father was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii. Currently, she has family still living on the island of O'ahu.
Her first hula teacher was her beloved mother, Cheryl Fuller, who had a genuine passion and love for Hawaii and Hula through the teachings of Kaui Brandt. Growing up in Southern California, Tammy moved multiple times and had a few Polynesian Instructors along the way; Nonosina, Arlene Andrews, and Sharon Eckles.
Tammy Akemi Sidell has been teaching hula for12 years. She danced professionally all through high school with her halau that she and her mother nurtured.
After getting married and having two children, it was time to dance again. Tammy started up with a local college hula class and realized she wanted to teach again. David, Tammy's loving and supportive husband, mentioned that she should go to the hula convention in Honolulu. She attended the convention 4 years in a row learning from some of Hawaii's top Kumu Hulas. One Kumu even offered to take Tammy under her wing which gave her all the motivation to go ahead and teach.
When Tammy's daugther started kindergarten, that was truly the beginning of hours of volunteering to teach hula. By second grade, the school planned an end of the year luau for which Tammy offered a free 4-week class and 50 kids signed up. Tammy was surprised by the turnout and decided to start an after school program that following school year. Tammy's mother ended up passing away right before the program began. She can't help but think that Cheryl is in the ears of all the little keiki asking them, "Don't you wanna hula?"
Currently, Tammy has branched out to multiple schools and has a very successful program. Last year alone they had 18 shows, One of the things that Tammy is most excited about is how many mothers and daughters are dancing together. Tammy is grateful to be the one to plant that seed for them to have a life time of dancing hula together as she had with her mother.
June of 2016, Akemi Kalea Hula was invited to perform at the Northridge Ho'olaulea among many well respected Halaus. It was truly an honor to be invited and the most incredible experience because Tammy and her keikis from this after school enrichment program were well received and recognized for all their hardwork. This experience has fueled Tammy to bring more to her keikis. More Hawaiian Culture, more values, more tools so they can live their lives with Aloha.
ABOUT MRS. TAMMY
Beginner Class
Tuesday 1:45-2:40 @ Haynes Charter
This class is for the beginner keiki hula student. Ideal for the first two years. Here they will learn basic footwork and moves to fun hula dances. Students will get a chance to perform for their school events and sometimes events outside the school.
