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Dion and Gabrielle Ott founded Tamali'i Polynesian Entertainment in 2015 as a dance school and LLC based in Mesa, Arizona. Their mission is rooted in preserving and perpetuating Polynesian culture through dance, language, and oral tradition. Serving both children and adults, Tamali’i provides more than dance—it offers a cultural education that emphasizes identity, history, and the values carried through generations.

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Each program weaves traditional practice with thoughtful creativity, honoring ancestral knowledge while making space for contemporary expression. Tamali’i embraces the idea of having one foot firmly planted in tradition and the other stepping forward into modern artistic interpretation. This approach allows students to explore their cultural heritage with relevance and authenticity, connecting the past to the present through movement and story.

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Students share their learning annually at Fiafia Night, where they express and showcase cultural pride and performance. Tamali’i also performs at regional and national festivals, including the local Arizona Aloha Festival.

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In 2019, the Otts hosted the first Siva Samoa Workshop of its kind in the United States, partnering with Tatau Manaia from Auckland, New Zealand. The event, free to the public, focused on the depth and history of Samoan dance and was featured on Channel 12 News and ABC Family. Since then, Tamali’i has continued to offer Siva Samoa workshops, deepening connections across communities and generations through shared cultural practice.

 

Dion and Gabrielle believe that culture must be lived to be preserved. Through dance, language, and storytelling, they guide students in building a strong cultural foundation, encouraging them to serve their families, contribute to their communities, and honor their heritage while creating space for innovation and new expression within tradition.