Our Story
Born from the islands, rooted in community
For over 50 years, Manea Nui has carried the spirit of Polynesian dance — from the stages of Southern California to Las Vegas and beyond.
How We Began
50 years of dance, culture & 'ohana
Manea Nui traces its roots back nearly 50 years to Woodland Hills, Southern California, where founder Judy Krenz — now Judy Carlisle — established what was then known as Manea Dancers. Trained by Tahitian Masters who shaped the dance competition scene of the 1980s, Judy built one of the most respected Polynesian performance companies in the United States.
As one of the few groups representing the Tahitian community in California at the time, Manea Dancers performed for prestigious clients, celebrities, and venues — accumulating over 10,000 events performed throughout the world. That legacy of professional excellence has been the backbone of everything we do.
Three years ago, Manea expanded beyond performance into education, opening Manea Nui — a full dance school with locations in Las Vegas and South Bay LA. Today we teach, perform, and share the culture across California and Nevada. Our classes cover Tahitian dance, Hawaiian, Māori (New Zealand), and Samoan fire arts. We also offer arts and crafts, luau prop-making, and culinary workshops including traditional Hawaiian cooking and whole-roasted pig Cebuano style — because sharing our passion for the culture means sharing all of it.
'Ohana First
Every student who walks through our door becomes part of our family. We look out for each other, celebrate each other, and grow together.
Cultural Respect
We teach Tahitian dance as a living tradition — with reverence for its origins, its stories, and the people who have carried it across generations.
All Are Welcome
Keiki or adult, beginner or advanced, any background — there is a place for you here. Dance is for everyone.
Joy in Movement
We believe dance should feel like freedom. Our classes are rigorous and authentic, but always joyful.
Founder
Judy Carlisle
The Woman Behind It All
Judy Krenz Carlisle
Judy founded Manea Dancers in Woodland Hills, California nearly 50 years ago — trained by the Tahitian Masters who defined the dance competition circuit of the 1980s. As one of the few groups representing the Tahitian community in California at the time, she built a company that performed for celebrities, prestigious venues, and cultural events across the globe.
Over more than four decades of professional performance, Manea has accumulated over 10,000 events worldwide — a testament to Judy's dedication to excellence and her deep love for Polynesian culture.
Three years ago, Judy expanded her mission from performance into education, opening Manea Nui as a full dance school. Her vision: not just to perform the culture, but to pass it on — to keiki and adults alike, in California and Nevada.
50+
Years of Dance
10,000+
Events Worldwide
The Tradition
Understanding Tahitian Dance
Tahitian dance — 'ori Tahiti — is one of the most vibrant and technically demanding dance traditions in the Pacific. It is a living art form, constantly evolving while remaining deeply rooted in the culture of French Polynesia.
French Polynesia
'Ori Tahiti
The umbrella term for all Tahitian dance, 'Ori Tahiti encompasses a rich vocabulary of hip movements — the fa'arapu (rapid rotation), the ami (circular roll), the pa'oti (scissors), and many more. It is both a celebration and a prayer.
Performed at festivals, ceremonies, and community gatherings throughout French Polynesia and the Polynesian diaspora worldwide.
Pape'ete, Tahiti
Heiva i Tahiti
The Heiva is the most prestigious Tahitian dance competition in the world, held annually in July in Pape'ete. It is the heartbeat of the 'ori Tahiti tradition — the standard against which all schools measure themselves.
Our curriculum is informed by Heiva traditions, ensuring our students learn authentic technique passed down through generations of master dancers.
Throughout Polynesia
The Pahu Drum
The pahu is the sacred drum of Polynesian dance. Its rhythm is not just accompaniment — it is the voice of the ancestors, the pulse of the earth, the heartbeat of the performance. Learning to listen to the pahu is learning to dance.
Students at Manea Nui learn to move with the drum, not just to music — developing a deep rhythmic connection that elevates their dancing.
Meet the Teachers
Our Instructors
Our instructors bring decades of combined experience in Tahitian dance, performance, and teaching. They are dancers first — and that passion lives in every class they lead.
Maeva
Lead Instructor — Las Vegas
Maeva has been dancing 'ori Tahiti since childhood and has performed at festivals across the Pacific and the United States. She trained under master instructors in Tahiti and brings that lineage directly into her teaching. Her classes are demanding, joyful, and deeply authentic.
Hina
Lead Instructor — South Bay LA
Hina grew up in a Polynesian family in Southern California and found 'ori Tahiti as a teenager. She has since competed, performed, and taught across the West Coast, building a reputation for patient, encouraging instruction that meets every student where they are.
Bill Krenz
Co-Director, Performer & Drum Master
Bill has been performing since the age of three — a lifetime immersed in Polynesian culture. Trained in Tahitian dance and drumming by some of the most respected Masters in the tradition, including Nonosina, Alex Tekurio, Tuko Tekurio, and Tevahine Mariteragi (Cook-style Tahitian dance), Bill brings a depth of lineage that is rare anywhere in the world. He competed and represented Nonosina 15 years ago and spent 13 years learning directly under Tevahine Mariteragi. Beyond the stage, Bill founded South Bay Luaus as a professional luau production company in Southern California, then built Manea Events — a full-service luau production corporation operating across California, Nevada, Florida, Texas, Arizona, Washington, and beyond for over 20 years. He manages all show bookings and event production for Manea's professional dancers and students. Bill has also provided props for major film productions, created television and movie opportunities for Manea dancers, and worked as a professional fire stunt performer — including fire knife (ailao afi) stunt work on screen.
Passionate about Polynesian dance or fitness?
We are looking for Māori, 'Ori Tahiti, Hula, and Polynesian Fitness instructors in Las Vegas and South Bay LA.
Come dance with us
Whether you're drawn by the culture, the movement, or the community — there's a place for you at Manea Nui. Your first class is free.