The founder of Le Taupou Manaia Dance Academy, Tuifaasisina Korina Lee, says for many of her students, their classes are the only way some of them learn about the Samoan culture.
When she first started Le Taupou here in 1999, the challenge was attracting students interested in learning just the Samoan siva. There were already other dance schools teaching Polynesian dancing.
But from the small class of 22 she had in her first year, word quickly spread and the classes got bigger and bigger.
Now, there are Taupou Manaia schools in Samoa and New Zealand.
Tomorrow, LTM celebrates 25 years with a corporate event at Lee Auditorium, with Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana Safaatoa Schwenke as a guest of honor.
Reflecting on the growth of her school and the challenges from the early years, Tuifaasisina recalled the words of Peseta Tia Seloti about Le Taupou Manaia.
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Miss Pacific Islands Moemoana agrees that dance schools such as Le Taupou Manaia help instill pride in culture and identity.
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