eginning with the 2025-2026 year, there will be two different options for enrolling in the hula studies program with Amanda in four different geographic areas! Dance space with mirrors is hard to come by in the area and Amanda is only able to be in a limited number of towns offering classes weekly. With the interests in taking classes growing, hopefully this will be a good solution for all moving forward!
Starting in August of 2025, Amanda will be offering the hula studies program in Havelock on Monday nights and in Morehead City on Thursdays. Each week we will meet for 75-minutes (beginner and intermediate classes) or 90-minutes (advanced classes). You'll learn one choreography in the month which may be a traditional (kahiko) or a modern ('auana) style. During our time we will drill the steps for that choreography and each week we will work on a section of the choreography. Each class will include a warm-up, cool down, and a mind-body-spiritual practice at the end. You'll learn Hawaiian words (if the song is in Hawaiian) as we go along our hula journey together.
The other option is to join a half day weekend intensive workshop style class that will cover the same choreography that the students are covering in the weekly classes. There will be less overall technique time in this setting so it is expected the student will practice drills weekly between months, and you will want to in order to improve your hula. You'll receive a 45-minute video of drills to do on your own each week that will include a warm-up, hula technique drills, and cool down. You can fit doing the video or your own drills within your own schedule during the week. This option will be available in Cedar Point ain 2025-2026.
The in-depth hula studies program runs for 9 months with November or December learning a Hawaiian holiday hula. Some months have only three classes whereas others have four depending upon holidays. For the 2025-2026 year, the monthly hula in-depth classes will run from August-April with only half of October and December meeting for two weeks. Depending upon the level of the choreography the 1/2 day workshop style class may be 2 hours or 3 hours that month.
No drop ins will be allowed in the weekly classes. If you would like to try hula, please consider attending an introductory hula workshop, beach hula, or a series in your area when offered.
You can skip months, but in order to perform certain hula numbers you must have attended that month's class covering that hula, or you'll need to schedule a private lesson to catch up. Some choreographies may require two private lessons.
You'll also receive a practice video of the choreography and handouts. (Practice videos and handouts are not provided for series.)
If joining for the month, payment confirms your spot weekly for that day/time. Returning students get priority with the next months registration.
Payments for Morehead City classes and Cedar Point can be made to Amanda via Paypal or Venmo (amandatoddphd) for first time students. Cash/check may be accepted after your first month.
Payments for Havelock and Calabash classes will be handled through the Elevate Yoga and Wellness website.
A traditional hula skirt (p'au) is required after your first three months. (These are not included in the tuition and may be purchased through various online sites or you may make your own. No color requirements, select a fabric pattern and color that is you!)
This is for women only, ages 18 and up.
The 4-week months or 3 hour workshop format $60 (August, September, January, February, March, and April)
The 3-week months or 2 hour workshop format $45 (November)
For this hula year only due to Amanda's schedule and holidays, October and December will be 2 weeks/1.5 hour workshop format $30
Total investment if you attend all $465.
Some early choreographies may repeat with hulas learned in different summer series. This will help you fine tune them and even advanced dancers can always return to learning the foundational hulas.
