The Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance

What can I say about this halua? I become a part of this halua about 4 ½ years ago. I learned so much from Kumu Mahea. She is an excellent teacher. She taught me a lot of Tahitian steps which I thought I knew but I was wrong. I take my 16 years old daughter with me and this is part of our bonding. WE dance for knowledge, new techniques, fun and excitement. I met a lot of new friends which now call my family. This halua is a place where I find myself again. Mahalo !

I took a Tahitian dance class here last night and it was so much fun. I’m seriously thinking about joining. The prices are very reasonable and the teacher’s are awesome.

I started attending the Ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) class at the Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance (MUCID) in June 2012. At the time, having taken dance classes all over the San Francisco Bay Area for fifteen years (mostly focused on various types of dances from Africa and the Caribbean), I was looking for a learning environment that was more structured, yet still relaxed and friendly. Also, I had attended the Tahiti Fête in San Jose the year before, and those beautiful dances have been in my mind’s eye ever since; I knew I wanted to learn to dance this way.
The first couple of times I went to Ori class, I arrived early so I could sit outside on the bench in the sun and listen to the singing streaming out through the windows of the dance studio, during the Hula class. That summer, these were particularly peaceful moments for the anxious person that I am, and for that time in the dance world where I felt I had lost the desire to continue dancing.
The instructor for all of the Polynesian dance classes (MUCID also offers music class, as well as other dance forms including North Indian dance — Kathak, for both children and adults —
) is Kumu Mahealani Uchiyama, usually with one or two assistants. The instruction is great, and I love that the students range in age from 15 to 65, all shapes and sizes and ethnicities, all levels of dance ability. Right now there are no men or boys in dance class, but it is open to you guys as well. Dance and music class is for everyone.
Also, if you like a structured class, and an environment where the rules of behavior are made very clear (when you register, you will be given a list of general principles to follow), then you will enjoy these dance classes even more. MUCID is truly a unique space (the studio is beautiful) and place in the Bay Area. It is welcoming of all people, yet the codes of behavior and the hierarchies are clear. It is warm, friendly and relaxed, yet music and dance instruction is taken very seriously. I highly recommend checking it out. I love it!

I’ve danced with MUCID as a member of their Ka Ua Tuahine polynesian dance company for a little less than two years and have loved every minute of it.
Beginning hula and tahitian classes are on Tuesday nights. The tahitian Ori classes are definitely a workout and a lot of fun! You are guaranteed to get a stronger body while learning choreography and culture.
One thing I really appreciate about this Halau is the diversity of our dancers– ages from 5 to 70s, racial diversity, and with various years of training from none to 10+. It is a very loving and welcoming community of people who regard one another as Ohana and share an appreciation for dance.
They also have afrobrazillian and Kathak indian classes too. Classes are up on the website for more info.

Awesome shows! Great vibes! Judie H. has repeatedly invited me to watch her shows here and after lots of schedule conflicts I have never been able to make it til the past weekend. I am so glad I did because it was such a great experience. These ladies are very talented, they featured dancers of all ages. The music playing was beautiful and they were graceful and upbeat at the same time. I will definitely be coming to see more performances!

I asked all over: Where can I take a Hula and/​or Ori class in the Bay? Everyone said Mahea Uchiyama is the only place to go. So I went, and I’ve been there for a couple years now.
Kumu Mahea is very patient with all and she has a wonderful group of people helping her. I am happy to dance in her studio :). Our house is now filled with Kumu Mahea’s music. My husband and kids are also very involved, which makes it perfect for me!

I take Miriam Peretz’s Middle Eastern dance class on Tuesday nights. She is fantastic! Truly has a feel for music, rythym and dance that she skillfully imparts to her students. This is a great studio to learn at, with a huge mirror.

Saw a posting on ‘Yelp’ and now ‘Yelping’ about the event held Sunday ⁶⁄₅. My love for International Dance performances, and spontaneous adventure seeking brought me to this place I’ve never heard of.
At some point my husband and I looked at each other and thought maybe we were the only ones who was not a family or friend. This amazing event was organized to showcase the different island dances the center has to offer. The highlight of the performance for my husband was definitely, the ‘Coconut’ dance. We also thought the 4 young girls age 5 – 8 were amazing to watch.

Tucked in North of Berkeley, the uniqueness of this dance center will soon offer drumming classes. Curious about what your inner-​island dance voice is saying, go to the Mahea Uchiyama Center for International Dance and learn it!

When will you ever been able to travel to two islands within a Saturday morning? NEVER!!!
Dancing has always been apart of me. But joining this halau really opened my heart and changed my life completely.
I try to get all my friends to join. So far I’ve gotten two… yes! My baby sister LOVES the keiki class and has recruited two more buddies to join herself.
When something is this good, you really can’t keep it to yourself. I suggest all people thinking of trying it out, to come to open house.

This was my second home. I met Auntie Mahea in 1993 while taking her dance classes then she invited me to dance with her halau, Ka Ua Tuahine full time. I’ve danced for Mahea for 7 years.
She is a brilliant teacher, a lover of music, dance, cultural history of Hawai’i and Tahiti. She is respectful, tactful, patient, kind, sincere and wonderful. She is the owner of the center for international dance. She made me fall in love dancing hula kahiko and hula auana. She taught me how to dance gracefully and be gracious.
She hosts the most intricate and fun workshops on how to braid a haku lei, decorate costumes, and even, hosted a few workshops for meditation. She may come off very stern but she only expects the best from her dancers. She may seem trivial at times but she is a perfectionist. I love her like she was a part of my family.
I’ve competed with the halau at Tahiti Fête San Jose, performed at numerous Ho’ike Pau Hana shows.
If I didn’t move out of the East Bay, I would still be dancing for her.

Just started taking the Middle Eastern Dance class from Miriam and I love it! It’s not even funny how uncoordinated I am, but the class is way too much fun for me to stop going. No matter how ridiculous I look… Try one of these classes and you won’t regret it.

Home of Halau KaUaTuahine, and the KaUaTuahine Polynesian Dance Company.
I’ve been dancing with Kumu Mahea for over 2 years now, and it’s been fabulous. Dancing is hard work physically, and learning about Polynesian culture can take time, but it is soooo worth it. You make friends with other dancers, friends with your musicians, and then the extended families join in during our social events.
If you want to take an Intro to Hawaiian Hula, Tahitian Ori, or try the Middle Eastern dance, Balinese dance, or various music classes, this is a great venue.