Polynesian Dance Maricopa LLC

Offering seasonal Polynesian dance opportunities for children, youth and adults

City of Maricopa, Arizona, United States

Meet the Owner/Dance Instructor

My name is Candace Iafeta. My background includes 9 years as a professional performer for the Polynesian Cultural Center in Laie Hawaii, including 4 years of dancing along side with my hubby of 15 years. I also worked with dance groups, like Te Hamata in Laie Hawaii, Mana Polynesia in Baltimore Maryland, Kilali Polynesian Revue of Gilbert AZ and Ku'ulei Siva Productions of Queen Creek AZ.
I have grown up learning and performing Polynesian dance since my "Siva Maia Production" days as a child in American Samoa, and I am thrilled to share my passion for Polynesian dance right here in our lovely city of Maricopa.

Keiki Hula Summer 2022

Students learned 2 hulas which they performed at PDM's very first dance recital

Keiki Hula Fall 2022

Two class groups were taught this dance season: one for the younger keiki (or children) ages 2 to 5 and one for the older keiki ages 6 to 9 Students learned a hula and two siva Samoa, or Samoan dances

Wahine Hula Fall 2022

PDM's first ever Wahine Hula class closed off with performing a hula to an especially selected mele, or song, dedicating it to those participating in the Relay for Life event whether for themselves or for a loved one who's life has been/was impacted by cancer. We're excited to bring back the aloha to the Party at the Park for Relay for Life's event this year, 2023!

Polynesian Dance Spring 2023

This season focused on offering dance classes for children and youth: 💛 Tahitian dance class for ages 6 to 9, 🧡 Hula/Siva (Samoan dance) class for youth ages 10 to 17, 🔥Fireknife dance class for beginners, ages 6 and up. See gallery photos of each of our classes and more!

Girls' Polynesian Dance Fall 2023

A fun, upbeat Polynesian dance was taught to a wonderful group girls. It was such a joy teach a Polynesian dance that included the dances of Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga, Samoa, and Maori. We ended the dance course by sharing what our girls learned at the Kids Day Maricopa 2023, and what treat it was to be a part of it again this year!

Tahitian Dance Conditioning Fall 2023 - Children ages 6 to 9

We learned & practiced the Tahitian (Tah-hee-shan) dance basics in a 6-week dance course, for boys and girls 6 to 9 yrs of age. Tahitian dance, commonly known as the fast hip-shaking dance, is the cultural dance of the French Polynesian island, Tahiti (Tah-hee-tee).

Wahine Hula Fall 2023

In an 11-week dance class, wahine learned two hulas: one low-tempo, smooth & relaxing hula and a second hula with a fun, upbeat tempo. This fun bunch of lovely ladies shared their performance at the Relay for Life event held at the Copper Sky Amphitheater on Nov 4th 2023. Good times for sure!

Tahitian Dance classes - Children's & Women's - SPRING 2024

PDM kicked off the Spring 2024 with two Tahitian dance classes, one for children and one for women. They ended their 7-week class with PDM's debut at the 30th Annual AZ Aloha Festival along side with our friends at Ku'ulei Siva Productions. A Big Mau'uru'uru/Thank you to our Ku'ulei Siva friends for sharing this amazing experience with us! 🌺

Spring 2024 Maori Poi Class

PDM's 1st Maori Poi class was offered to women and girls ages 7 and up. The women of this class got to perform at Copa Culture Night alongside Paradise Island Dancers in April 2024. It was a BLAST!

Samoa Fireknife Beginners Spring 2024

PDM's 2nd ever Samoan Fireknife class for beginners, and this time included 2 adult women. This class got to share what they learned at the Spring 2024 end of the season event.

Fall 2024 Dance Season

Included Wahine Hula, Siva Samoa, Keiki Hula & Lil Keiki Hula, and Children's Polynesian Dance classes. We ended this dance season with a wonderful Polynesian Dance Recital.

Wahine Hula Spring 2025

Wahine learned a fun & smooth upbeat hula to the rhythmic tunes of Ūa's "Pola'ila'i"; this lovely hula takes you on a sweet stroll on a moonlit night in Hawaii; dancers got to share their hula at the 2025 Aloha Festival in Tempe with some of Ku'ulei Siva's ladies on the big stage as well as at the Relay For Life 2025 in Maricopa

Children's Tahitian Dance Spring 2025

Girls ages 7-9 learned and practiced two Tahitian dances, one aparima and one ote'a, and they shared it at the 2025 Aloha Festival along side with Ku'ulei Siva Productions dance class; both the beautiful dance uniforms and choreo were shared by "Aunty Tehani", director & dance instructor Ku'ulei Siva Productions---Big Mahalo/Mau'uru'uru to Ku'ulei for sharing a fun time with us! 💙🩵🤍

ABOUT

Polynesian Dance Maricopa started with two hula sisters wanting to share the aloha of Polynesia dance with those around them. As soon as the name Polynesian Dance Maricopa LLC was made official, they hit the ground running by kicking off their first dance class, Keiki Hula Summer 2022.

With the success of the summer dance class, PDM offered it's next dance season, Keiki Hula Fall 2022, with two classes and it's first hula class for women, Wahine Hula Fall 2022.

By the end of the Fall 2022 dance season, the two hula sisters saw the need to grow. Candace continued on with PDM while Janelle started Learn With Aloha LLC, both serving in the fast-growing city of Maricopa.

Candace kicked off the next PDM dance season, Spring 2023, with another 3 classes, including her first Samoan Fireknife beginners class. All 3 dance classes got to perform at the Copa Cultural Night that year. Since then:
Fall 2023
- Girls' Polynesian Dance
- Wahine Hula
- Tahitian Conditioning
- PDM's 1st Hula Pop-up
Spring 2024
- PDM's 1st Tahitian Dance Pop-up
- Tahitian Dance for children
- Tahitian Dance for ladies
- PDM's 1st Maori Poi
#n'#@y
and began offering "Hula Pop-up" sessions. PDM's Tahitian dance classes even made PDM's first debut at the 30TH ANNUAL ALOHA FESTIVAL. It was definitely a treasured experience that PDM had the pleasure of sharing with Ku'ulei Siva Production. Later in the Spring 2024 dance season, PDM also offered it's first Maori poi class who had the opportunity to share the long poi dance at the Copa Cultural Night--definitely a night to remember!

Fall 2024 has come and gone with another 5 dance classes offered, including PDM's first preschool-aged hula class and PDM's first Women's Samoan Dance class.

All are welcome to join in the fun! Polynesian Dance Maricopa looks forward to sharing the aloha with you through Polynesian dance! 🧡

Seasonal Polynesian Dance classes

Learn the cultural dances of Hawaii, Samoa, Tahiti, and New Zealand, Fiji and Tonga dances available Seasonal classes are offered for children, youth and adults Keep in loop about our upcoming dance classes by completing an interest form! Sign up at this link below: https://forms.gle/MwCC2HwStFdbMe6f6

Polynesian Dance Choreography

Have a wedding or special occasion coming up? Want to share a special hula or Polynesian dance with loved ones? PDM offers customized Polynesian dances for your special occasion. With your choice of a mele, or song, Aunty Candace can choreograph a Polynesian dance routine for you or someone special to share.

Hula Pop-up Sessions

Been wanting to try the hula or Polynesian Dance, but can't commit to a weekly class? PDM's hula Pop-up Session is made just for you! Learn the basics of hula or Polynesian dance and a short, fun routine within a one-time 1-hour session with Dance Instructor Candace.