Two iconic figures of ‘ori Tahiti: Manuel Aie & Tauhere Sandford

Manuel Aie and Tauhere Sandford are among those figures who make ‘ori tahiti resonate far beyond the stage. Tauhere, a teacher and troupe leader at Atororai School, passes on far more than steps: she teaches a way of carrying the culture, of understanding what each gesture expresses, and of helping a new generation of dancers grow. Facing her, Manuel Aie, from Rurutu, embodies the excellence and emotion of the Heiva: a two-time Best Dancer in 2024 and 2025, she impresses with her precision, her energy, and that rare intention - to give, to share, to tell a story.

Together, they represent two complementary sides of ‘ori tahiti: transmission and performance, the school and the stage, patient work and the magical instant of the show. Through their journeys, one thing becomes clear: Tahitian dance is not only an art to admire - it is a living culture, a heritage that is passed on, practiced, and felt - to the rhythm of the drums, at the heart of the fenua.

Tauhere Sandford: Troupe Leader, Between Excellence and Transmission

Tauhere Sandford is one of the essential figures of ‘ori Tahiti - those who keep the dance alive through transmission. Her story begins on Moorea, with her grandparents, in a simple and deeply mā’ohi daily life, where dance was natural, instinctive - almost a way of living. Her path then took shape at Aratoa school alongside Kehaulani Changuy, where she learned, grew, and eventually taught in turn. After a gala, one truth became undeniable: to pass it on - and one day, to open her own school.

Manuel Aie: the Power of a Dancer, the Soul of an Island, and Passing It On with a Smile!

Originally from Rurutu in the Austral Islands, Manuel Aie has established herself as one of the standout figures of the Heiva i Tahiti. A two-time winner of the Best Dancer title in 2024 and 2025, she embodies a generation deeply rooted in tradition while remaining decisively open to the world. At just 21 years old, she has already carried ‘ori Tahiti beyond the Pacific - particularly to Japan - through workshops and cultural exchanges that help expand the international reach of Polynesian dance.

Her story begins far from the big stages, in Rurutu, within the heart of her family. The first gestures, first rhythms, and core values were passed down at home, by a grandmother who carried the same name, Aie, and by her sister, Miti. This intimate transmission shaped a dance that is both grounded and sincere. It was only in 2023, upon arriving in Tahiti, that Manuel Aie joined her first dance school: Tauhere’s. A turning point that opened the way to major competitions and the demands of Heiva-level excellence.

What sets her style apart cannot be reduced to technique alone. An intention runs through her dancing: sharing. Giving energy, offering something to the audience, passing on emotion. This dimension appears especially in the aparima, where gentle gestures and storytelling become a language. As she approaches the stage, one presence always accompanies this dancer: her grandmother’s. During the 2024 season, hearing her name announced on the To’atā stage was a moment filled with emotion and honor, a reminder that behind every performance there is lineage - and a living memory.

One of the greatest challenges in such a journey is repetition, training, and rigor. After a first victory, she had to push even harder to claim the title a second time - under greater pressure, higher expectations, and with even more work. In Tahiti, one of her first major stage memories - beyond Rurutu, which also has its own Heiva - dates back to the Ura Tapairu, with the group Hei Rurutu. That first experience felt like a true burst of joy, heightened by the pride of dancing with her island.

Today, teaching opens a new dimension in her journey: passing it on in turn reveals another side of ‘ori Tahiti. What matters most becomes teaching students to have fun, to love themselves, and to love the dance. Along this path, her gratitude toward Tauhere Sandford remains strong - for all she brings and all she has made possible.

And even when dance travels far, Rurutu remains present. One detail symbolizes this bond: the Tāmau Tahito, an ancient and authentic dance often woven into Best Dancer solos. A step that brings out a smile, a distinctive energy, a signature. Through Manuel Aie, the continuity of ‘ori Tahiti shines through: a living tradition - passed down, refined, reinvented - and carried far beyond the lagoons.