Upcoming Workshops
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Workshops with
Tehani Robinson
Saturday, SEptember 7th


​Our co-founder and choreographer Tehani is back in New York City, fresh off of her Heiva i Paris win, and we're so excited for her upcoming workshops. 

In this very special series, we'll be focusing on expression, emotion, and confidence. If you know your ‘Ori Tahiti steps but feel self-conscious improvising, performing alone, or don’t quite know how to make everything fit together, join us on this journey.

Tehani will share her Heiva ‘i Paris preparation process, progressing step-by-step, with lots of structure and instruction, to help you build confidence in yourself, develop your solo skills, and be more expressive through your dancing. 


​Ballet hispanico
167 W 89th St | Studio 9
10am - 4pm

OR Register for single workshops

The workshops


'Ori Tahiti Technique (10am - 11:30am)
Let’s get the day started with strengthening our ‘Ori Tahiti fundamentals! This workshop will focus on refining basic and more advanced steps that you'll build on in the next two workshops. Come work on your technique, fa’a’rapu conditioning, precision, grace, and stamina.

Ote’a technique + solo (11:30am - 1:30pm)
Though lots of fun and rewarding, learning how to improvise can be a challenging and intimidating process in the beginning. If you relate to some or all of this, and would like to improve and challenge yourself, join us in this workshop! We will break down your solo and spend time working on different components of it. All the while strengthening our technique, trying out fun things, and collectively breaking a sweat. 

30 min break

Aparima technique + solo (2pm - 4pm)
Similar to the ote’a workshop, we will build towards aparima improv with a structured process to make things easier and build your confidence and skills. We will experiment with a couple different styles of dancing and work on how to become more expressive and tell powerful stories through our dancing.

Pricing: ​$65/workshop in advance; $180 for the full day. $75/workshop day of. 

Past workshops

Ori Manea brings amazing instructors to New York City. From welcoming introductory workshops to exciting ote'a and aparima technique for experienced dancers to gorgeous choreography instruction, our workshops bring the best of Ori Tahiti to the East Coast. 

6.19.18 | Technique and Choreography with Tehani

Two back-to-back workshops in technique and a new, stunning choreography.

Tehani's workshops are upbeat, warm and friendly, and will strengthen your technique, precision, grace, and stamina. Her choreography is based in both traditional Tahitian fundamentals and the excitement of contemporary Tahitian dance. 

Learn more about Tehani.

4.14.18 | Workshops with Loana Benjamin

Loana Benjamin grew up dancing in Tahiti and spends every summer performing with Tahiti Ora, one of Tahiti's most respected and innovative groups. In our upcoming ote'a and aparima workshops, Loana will be working with students to strengthen and refine technique while teaching two gorgeous dances.​
Ote'a choreography:
You'll learn Mahealani Uchiyama's exciting Teahi Ura. This vibrant, energetic piece was created by Ori Manea's choreographer Tehani Benjamin. You'll strengthen your technique and build stamina, while perfecting basic and more advanced steps (including your fa'arapu!)

Aparima choreography:
​We'll be dancing to Tapuarii Laughlin's beautiful Ho'i Mai Taputapuatea, which translates to "Come back to Taputapuatea," the sacred center of Polynesia. This dramatic aparima speaks of the canoes launching from the Marae Taputapuatea on the island of Raiatea and going forward to discovery the Polynesian triangle. Also choreographed by Tehani Benjamin, this beautiful, passionate piece will also refine your technique and grace.

Participants are invited to video the choreography, and we'll be sharing the music as well, so we welcome you to bring these dances back to wherever you perform!

Loana Benjamin with Tahiti Ora

12.11.17 | Ori Tahiti Workshop with Tehani\

Tehani's aunt, Tumata Robinson, taught her to dance around the time she learned to walk. At 14, she joined Les Grands Ballets de Tahiti, one of Tahiti's most famed dance companies. She later danced with the award-winning Tahiti Ora, acclaimed for its thrilling productions, and toured with them in Tokyo, Osaka, and Paris.  She later taught classes at her aunt's dance school to students of all ages while rehearsing every night for Tahiti Ora's spectacular upcoming show, Hiva, for which she also provided choreography and performed a duo. Tehani brings the vibrancy, grace, and athleticism of Ori Tahiti to all of her wonderful workshops and classes. 

Workshops with Lehia Mama - ​11.11.17

​​Lehia Mama of Tahiti Ora is making her first visit to New York City, and we can't wait to host her! Lehia won best dancer at last year's Ori Tahiti Nui Solo Competition and second place at 2014's Heiva i Tahiti.

In her technique workshop, she'll work with you on refining basic and more advanced steps and combinations for precision and grace.

In her choreography workshop, you'll learn a beautiful, exciting ote'a. 

These workshops are open dancers with experience in Ori Tahiti. 

Introduction to Ori Tahiti with Loana Benjamin - 10.5.17

Always wanted to try Tahitian dance? Now's the time!

Loana Benjamin grew up dancing in Tahiti and spends every summer performing with Tahiti Ora, one of Tahiti's most respected and innovative groups. In this workshop, she'll learn break down the basic Tahitian steps and teach fun combinations to pull them together.  Our workshops are warm and welcoming, and absolutely no experience is required, although dancers looking to refresh their basics are welcome as well! 

Ori Tahiti Workshop with Moena Maiotui - 9.13.17

Moena Maiotui is the most instantly recognizable dancer in Ori Tahiti. She has made her name dancing for O Tahiti E, Les Grands Ballet de Tahiti, and is currently lead dancer of Tumata Robinson's Tahiti Ora. She provided choreography for Tahiti Ora's two winning Heiva entries and took home the 2011 Meilleur Danseuse prize. Her remarkable style and distinctive choreography have left an indelible mark on Ori Tahiti around the world.


When Moena isn't dancing with Tahiti Ora, she's traveling the world leading workshops, spreading the art of Ori Tahiti, and representing her culture and passion. Join the East Coast Ori Tahiti to welcome Moena on her first visit to New York City.

Ori Tahiti for Experienced Dancers with
​Tehani - 8.1.17

Strengthen and refine your technique with Tehani! We'll drill ote'a basics and beautiful combinations for strength, precision, and grace and work on aparima technique as well. You'll also meet other experienced dancers in the area and get a great workout.