Anne Blankenship trained in Ancient Hula (Traditional or Kahiko) and in Modern Hula ('Auana), Honolulu, Hawai'i, 1975-1978. Daily personal involvement centered on learning the Hawaiian language, history, and socio-cultural dynamics as well as the chants and dances. Over 2000 hours in class time and research during those years, and many, many hundreds of hours since. I am still learning.
Ancient (Kahiko): Kumu Hula include Hoakalei Kamauu, Lehua Carey, Marilyn Leimomi Ho, Nathan Nāpokā, Cecilia Lucey Akim, and Marguerite Ku'uipolani Duane. Workshops and classes with Sam Naeole, Pat Bacon, George Naope, Millilani Allen, Jean Kalani, and others. Current mentors for the 'Iolani Luahine tradition are Hoakalei Hina (Macey) Kamauu and Nathan Nāpokā. Additional mentors include Dr. Amy Ku'uleialoha Stillman and Lance Koyama. Over the years I have continued to return to Hawai'i for additional instruction and review.
Repertoire: Includes over 70 traditional hulas, many of them rare or infrequently performed. Original sources include hulas from 'Iolani Luahine, Henry Pā, Mary Kawena Puku'i, Sally Wood, Edith Kanaka'ole.
Modern ('Auana): Kumu Hula include Hoakalei Kamauu, George Holokai, Marguerite Ku'uipolani Duane, Kaulana Kasparovitch, and Leolani Pratt. Workshops and classes with George Naope, Chinky Mahoe, Mapuana DeSilva and others.
Repertoire: Over 100 modern hulas from the above sources, as well as over 300 more of original choreography; hundreds of additional songs, translations, and recordings.
Teaching
Other Education
BA Liberal Arts, University of Arizona (Honors Graduate)
University of California at Santa Barbara, 1 year Graduate work in Experimental Psychology.
Miscellaneous My family's connection with Hawai'i goes back to 1825, and the Hawaiian culture has been a major part of my life.