Students at Black Mountain Elementary took a trip to the islands without leaving their school when Hawaiian hula dance Nani visited to share her culture and traditions through song and dance.
As part of a partnership with LEAF Global Arts, Nani introduced students to the beauty and meaning behind Hawaiian hula. Hula dancing is storytelling that uses graceful movement, chants, and music to express emotions and honor nature, history, and community.
Students learned a traditional Hawaiian song and the accompanying movements. Nani explained how each motion tells part of a story, connecting dancers to their heritage and the land.
“Every hula is a story,” Nani told the students. “When you dance, you’re not just moving, you’re sharing your heart.”
The visit was part of LEAF Global Arts’ mission to bring world cultures into local classrooms, helping students experience the joy of diversity through hands-on learning.
By the end of the workshop, the music room was filled with smiles, laughter and the spirit of aloha. It was a reminder that music and dance truly bring people together, no matter how far apart their homes may be.
