About Us

Hafa Adai, guahu si Jovonna “Bonna” Cruz, I am an instructor and founder at Mana Dance Studio, I was born in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but raised all over the United States due to my father serving in the US Army. My parents are from the island of Guam – although I wasn’t born there, they raised my siblings and myself to live, love, and embrace our culture. My passion and knowledge of any cultural dance originally started when we were stationed in Honolulu, Hawai’i and I was in elementary. I learned the basics of Hawaiian hula and the culture. From there we got stationed in Fort Drum, New York where we connected with the Folau family who started a group to perform for the military service members and their families. They were original dancers of the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawai’i, and they taught Hawaiian, Samoan, and Tahitian dances. After New York, we then got stationed at Fort Sam Houston, TX and we had an opportunity to start up a group Aunty Evelyn Langford when she was active duty. She started her group with the military dependents, and we also perform for military service members and families throughout San Antonio, TX. After I graduated high school, I did take a break from dancing for a few years up until I had my daughter Joselle in 2007. 2009 we joined Desert Polynesia under the direction of the San Nicholas-Reyes and Ma’ae family. My daughter and I had the opportunity to dance with the group for about 8 years. During our time with Desert Polynesia we performed for many shows from auditions at Sea World, Schlitterbahn’s Annual Employee Appreciation events, AT&T events, Morgan’s Wonderland, Ho’ikes, Annual Aloha Festivals, & Annual Guam Liberation Celebrations. 2016 I took yet another break and throughout that time, family and friends kept encouraging me to start up a group or do lessons because I am always so involved with the community. In 2019 I convinced U’ilani and her mom to start a group with me and then February 23^rd, 2020 Mana Dance Studio was created.

With our trio collaboration we decided to perpetuate our roots and culture of both CHamoru and Hawaiian. I take the lead and instruct the CHamoru classes currently and being a fa’fanague (teacher), I am ALWAYS a student first. I hope and pray that our love and passion for our culture here at Mana Dance Studio impacts all our students, families, and our community so that way our legacy continues from generation to generation. I cannot wait to see what our future has in store for us here at Mana Dance Studio!

Aloha my name is U'ilani Jamie Pickard, I am an instructor and co-founder of Mana Dance Studio LLC. I was born and raised on the island of Oahu. My mother introduced the art of hula to me when I was 5 years old. My instructor also known as Kumu in 'Ōlelo Hawai'i was Patricia Eselu. She instilled knowledge, passion, and sharing the stories of Hawai'i through hula in me. Under her I was introduced to many talented and passionate hula dancers who each had a part in who I am today. I was given the opportunity to dance in many different venues, from the Royal Hawaiian Hotel to public libraries. Hard to believe, I know but in Hawai'i we share hula everywhere and anywhere. Throughout elementary and into High school I danced for the SMPA (school of media and performing arts) with Word Of Life Christian Center. It was there that my passion for hula was combined with my love for Christ. When I danced during praise and worship it brought a whole new feeling of hula in me. But the journey wouldn’t stop there! My dancing career brought me to Desert Polynesia also known as Hiti O Te Mahana. There I began as a dancer and eventually became an instructor. Under the direction of Jacinta Ma’ae and based in San Antonio I grew to love the dances of Tahiti. I was blessed with the opportunity to dance for a summer luau hosted by SeaWorld of San Antonio along with professional entertainment shows around the U.S. I also entered my first hula soloist & pupu ori competition in Orlando,FL. with Desert Polynesia. I was an instructor from 2016-2019 under Jacinta. Shortly after that I felt the need to focus my God given talents on perpetuating the Hawaiian & CHamoru culture for my children. I knew that if I chose to live in San Antonio it was my responsibility that they be educated in their roots. Which was when Mana Dance Studio was born. We are now in our second year and are greatly encouraged to see our community putting the same efforts into perpetuating our culture and heritage. As an instructor my goal is to teach anyone who is willing to put in love and energy to learn the past, present and future of the indigenous people of Hawai'i & Guam. The best is yet to come!

5 Years of Hula with Kahulaana

8 Years of Hula, Tahitian, and Jazz with Word Of Life Christian Center

6 Years of Tahitian, Hula, and Maori with Hiti O Te Mahana

1 Year of Hula and Chamorro Dances with Mana Dance Studio