KAITLIN ALHAMBRA

They say the pros of engaging in dance not only improves physical fitness but also contributes to mental well-being. It provides an outlet for stress relief, boosts self-confidence, and stimulates cognitive processes through memorizing choreography and coordinating movements.

But for most if not all, dancers any age quickly learn the con is ALSO physical fitness and mental well- being.

Aloha! I’m Kaitlin...and this is my dance evolution.

I always knew I wanted to dance from a very early age. One day, at the age of 4, I told my mom that I wanted to dance Hula and her response was “ do some research and see if you can find a group nearby”. My parents commuted to and from Vallejo to SF for work - so something closer would be ideal.

Being that young, I didn’t know where to look or how to utilize resources to search until two years later - my Grandma and I would end up babysitting our across the street neighbors’ 2 daughters. They told us they enrolled one of their Daughters into this Hula group just 5 min away from where we lived (an after school community center). They handed me the centers’ pamphlet which listed all of the activities they offered in the surrounding cities. I came across two groups:

1. One taught Tahitian.
2. The other - Samoan, Tongan Fijian, Tahitian, Hula & Māori

I had to make a decision quick, as I was eager to learn, and enrollment approaching for both groups. Although I was more interested in Tahitian, I decided to be mindful about not having my parents drive an extra 10 min into downtown for the Tahitian group (formerly known as Hui Tama Nui under the direction of Aaron Sencil). It made sense to join the group closest to my house with more variety. Why learn one style when you can expand your knowledge and learn about it all.

In August of 2001, I joined the group Spirit of Polynesia (SOP) under the direction of James Kimo and the late Jill Baird. Shortly after I met the main Hula instructor, Auntie Nina “Nins” Diamzon, I quickly learned she did NOT play around. She kicked my ass, broke me down, and chewed me the hell out along with Kimo.

Some of the technical things they both instilled in me was: discipline, flexibility, learning 10 costume changes in under 30 seconds, and the never ending growth of thunder thighs. SOP - one of the best decisions I ever made.

I fell in love with not only dance but Polynesian culture as a whole - and immersed myself in nonstop research over the years. After dancing a year, I was moved up to the advanced class and it was there that my passion for dance and training grew tremendously. I worked hard to learn a large repertoire of Polynesian dances only to be given the opportunities of doing 5 to 10 shows/events every weekend around the Bay Area, in and out of state, competitions, festivals, two 49er halftimes, SF Carnival parade, SF/Oakland Pride parade, and travel the world dancing on cruise ships.

Work, school, family, relationships, and friends...time spent with dance was time I could not get back - missing out on many milestones with a simple “sorry, I can’t I have practice, I have a show, I have to make costumes, I’ll be late or have to leave early for dance.” Dance became my life. It also saved my life. I had done so much with dance by the age of 27 however,

...something was still missing.

I remember when I first joined SOP, Kimo talked (over the years) about how he used to dance under the direction of Tiare Clifford. He spoke of this other guy in the group named Mark Keali’i Ho’omalu over and over. I didn’t know much about him other than how Kimo would say...

"he’s, blunt, has no filter and yet is a bad ass”

Only to find out eventually that the man Kimo often spoke about was in that one Disney movie. I was in awe watching the Behind the Scenes - The making of Lilo & Stitch. It was then that I began my research, found he was based in Oakland, and immediately knew I had to expand my dance knowledge with his Halau. I also learned that Aunite Nina was already dancing for Kumz after leaving SOP.

The dilemma…how was I going to get to Oakland? I wasn’t old enough to drive and no one I knew who danced at AHA lived close to me. I no longer saw Auntie Nina (although she was still encouraging me join AHA when we spoke), & my parents driving me was out of the question given their crazy commute. Once my pre-teen/teen years hit I had given up trying to find a way to get to the Academy and told myself when the timing is right, I’d eventually find my way there one day.

Fast forward to 2017. I was able to watch AHA’s 2017 Ho’ike, then a couple months later (January 2018), I found myself at AHA’s open enrollment. I thought “holy Shit… what did I get myself into!?” Was I ready for this much needed change? My thoughts were ALL over the place, but, hell yes…challenge accepted. Everything I thought I knew about Hula went down the drain. I quickly realized that having 20 years of dance under my belt & then starting over was going to be a HUGE adjustment.

“SINK OR SWIM

This was NOT going to be a “piece of cake”. Four months after joining, I was invited to train with the pro-team and in 2 micro seconds learned the “SINK OR SWIM” mentality. I would notice Kumz’ grunts and what looked like Tourettes and wonder “ is he okay?” NOPE. That’s just him noticing my shitty dancing from his peripheral. I heard the dancers yell

“FALL BACK!!! IF YOU DONʻT KNOW THE DANCE!”

I sure did not know the dance and happily fell back as instructed lol. A couple months later as Aloha Festival was approaching, I was asked to perform with the pro-team for this event. I happily accepted but was given 48 hours to learn two Dances as Aloha Festival was in TWO DAYS. Safe to say I pulled through and put my first ever AHA experience in the books.

(Thanks Aileen for letting me borrow your extra set of kupe'e since mine weren’t made till 2 months later for Ho’ike)

Here I am present day still surviving the dynamics of THEE ACADEMY one practice at a time. We’re currently gearing up to hit the Merrie Monarch stage - my first MM opportunity was supposed to be in 2020, however, due TO the pandemic that first opportunity was taken away. I’m excited/nervous to see if I make the floor this time around...also looking forward to haumana trauma bonding once again with the one and only Halau that is forever a fan favorite. I am forever humbled and thankful for what dance has offered me.

If you made it to the end of this long ongoing journey of mine, congratulations! It’s never too late join and challenge yourself. Hope to see you at open enrollment next year.

With all my aloha, Kaitlin