(Newswire.net – February 16, 2013) New York City, NY — Michael Lanakila Casupang, Mid-Pacific Institute School of Arts’ Kumu Hula or Hula Master, is traveling from Honolulu, Hawaii with his hula school, Pupukahi I Ke Alo O Na Pua (United as One in the Presence of the Flowers), to perfrom at the Peter Norton Symphony Space on February 23, 2013.
“The theme for their hula performance is “Where I Live”. “Where I Live” is a collection of hula dances that reflect the essence of all the islands of Hawaii. Each island in Hawaii has their own unique beauty and through Hula, we have been able to capture that beauty through the graceful movements of our young women and the strength of our young men. We hope to bring that beauty to New York City and warm their hearts through our performance.” said Kumu Hula Casupang.
Michael Lanakila Casupang began his study of hula in 1983 with kumu hula (Hula Master) Robert Cazimero and his hula school, H?lau Na Kamalei. In 1986, he began dancing in Robert Cazimero’s Royal Dance Company and danced continuously for six years for the Brothers Cazimero. As a member of the Royal Dance Company, Casupang has danced in the United States in California and at Carnegie Hall, New York. He has also performed abroad extensively in Australia and Japan. In 1995, Casupang graduated as a kumu hula under Cazimero and began his own hula school, H?lau I Ka Wekiu in 1998. H?lau I Ka Wekiu has since garnered many awards at the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival with an overall win in the Kane Division and of the Festival in 2007 and in 2012. At Mid-Pacific Institute, Casupang has taught hula at the school since 1988 with an initial enrollment of 16 students. After 18 years, under the name P?p?kahi I Ke Alo O N? Pua (United as One in the Presence of the Flowers), the hula students of Mid-Pacific Institute have received numerous awards for their participation in the Hawai’i State Secondary Schools Hula Kahiko Competition where they have received 10 Overall Winner Awards and 5 Hawaiian Language Awards.
The hula performance will be held on February 23, 2013 at 8 pm at the Peter Norton Symphony Space, located at 2537 Broadway at 95th Street. For more information, contact Symphony Space at 212-854-5400.
www.SymphonySpace.org
http://www.symphonyspace.org/event/7692-hawaii-where-i-live
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