Dance School
Hula & 'ori Tahiti
NĀPUA Australia
At Nāpua Australia, every movement is rooted in culture.
We share the traditional dances of Hawai‘i and Tahiti with deep respect, honouring their history, language, and culture. For Hula, we are guided directly under the direction of renowned Kumu Hula Kawika Alfiche, and for ‘ori Tahiti, we work closely alongside and follow the style of Poemoana Teriinohorai and Makau Foster.
Steeped in the lineage of our mentors on the islands, we teach strong foundations — including technique, cultural knowledge, and expression — while helping you transform movement into a powerful storytelling tool.
Experience the beauty of Hawaiian hula and ‘ori Tahiti in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Learn our story and meet our teachers dedicated to sharing and preserving Hawaiian and Tahitian cultures.
Bring the spirit of the islands to your next event with our vibrant live dance performances.
October classes
'ori Tahiti
3-week course
Monday 6:00 to 7:00 pm
This short course is perfect for complete beginners or dancers looking to strengthen their foundations.
In-studio course starts Monday 12 October
Beginner
Monday 7:00 to 8:30 pm
Our regular beginner class covers basics technique, drills, culture and history, and choreography.
In-studio only
Open Level
Saturday 9:30 to 11:00 am
Our regular open class covers basics technique training, conditioning, culture and history, and choreography aimed at intermediate/advanced students, but all levels welcome.
In-studio and online
* We rotate ‘ori tahiti and Hula classes each week.
Hawaiian Hula
Open Level
Saturday 9:30 to 11:00 am
Our regular open class covers basics traning, culture and history, and choreography. All levels welcome.
In-studio and online
* We rotate ‘ori tahiti and Hula classes each week.
Private classes
We offer 1-on-1 training to improve your dance technique. Private classes offered online or in-person. Contact us directly to book a session.
Location
Alma Studios (Studio 2)
103 Foveaux St, Surry Hills
NSW 2010, Australia
'ORI TAHITI
‘ori Tahiti (Tahitian dance) is the spirit of Tahiti, expressing everyday life and the deep relationship between people and nature through powerful, rhythmic movement. This iconic Polynesian dance form is both an art of storytelling and an intense cardio‑strength workout. Celebrated worldwide, ‘ori Tahiti continues to thrive through major international competitions and dedicated communities across the globe.
HAWAIIAN HULA
"Hula is the heartbeat of the Hawaiian people" Hula is an art form where movement, mele (song), and oli (chant) intertwine to carry history, mythology, and ancestral wisdom. It preserves the deep cultural foundations of the Hawaiian people, passing stories and wisdom through the generations. Today, hula is a global symbol of Hawai’i, evolving over time while staying true to its sacred roots.
Our Story
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Nāpua’s journey began in Mexico, where Cori Magos, a respected teacher and guiding figure in the Polynesian dance community, founded Nāpua in 1987. Her vision was to create a nurturing home for dancers who share a deep love for hula and ‘ori Tahiti, grounded in cultural respect and heartfelt connection.
In 2017, that legacy extended to Sydney when her daughter, Jocelyn Magos, founded Nāpua Australia. She now directs both the Australian and Mexican schools, leading with discipline, strong foundations, and a profound sense of cultural responsibility. Nāpua Australia teaches under the guidance and consent of its Hawaiian and Tahitian mentors, ensuring that every step, story, and practice honours its lineage and culture.
Meet our Team
Jocelyn Magos
Hula & 'ori Tahiti teacher & director
Saturdays 9:30 to 11:00 am
Jocy is an internationally recognized director, choreographer, and a dedicated facilitator of Polynesian culture. As the director of Nāpua, Jocy brings an elite level of experience to Australia, having directed productions, competed, and won awards across Tahiti, USA, Mexico, and beyond. Guided closely by her native mentors to ensure the utmost cultural integrity, her teaching is technical, precise, and deeply educational. Explore the profound beauty of Polynesian dance through her expert knowledge and contagious passion.
Leah Subijano
'ori Tahiti teacher
Mondays classes
Leah has been training in ʻori Tahiti and Hawaiian hula with Nāpua since 2017. In her classes, she brings passion, energy and cultural knowledge to every session. She fosters a supportive, empowering environment where students build strong technique, confidence and a meaningful connection to culture. Leah encourages dancers to explore their roots and engage deeply with the knowledge shared in class, supporting students of all levels to grow, connect, and move with purpose and pride.
Our Highlights
Dancers from Nāpua Australia have performed, trained, and competed across the world. Our team regularly travels to Tahiti and Hawaiʻi to deepen our learning and strengthen our connections to the people, cultures, and communities who steward these traditions.
Our achievements include placing 3rd in the Mehura group category at Heiva San Diego (2019), competing in Hura Tapairu Manihini in Tahiti (2024), and taking 2nd place at ‘ori Tahiti I Taratoni in New Caledonia (2026). This year, our team was honoured to participate in the Merrie Monarch Festival activities in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, alongside our Kumu Hula, Kawika Alfiche. Representing Nāpua Australia, our dancers have also earned solo placements in prestigious international events, including ‘ori Tahiti Nui in Tahiti (2018, 2022, 2024, 2025), Tahiti Fête in Okinawa, Japan (2026), ‘ori Tahiti I Taratoni (2026), and multiple global online competitions.
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