Meet Our Dancers
Team Mana
Dallin Keil
Dallin Keil is the oldest child and only son of Ron and April Te’o Keil (founder and creator of Siva Pasefika). He was born in Samoa and raised there for the first few years of his life. He has lived in Hawaii and Fiji, but later settled with his family in St. George, Utah. As leader of the wolfpack, Dallin is the instructor and choreographer for Siva Pasefika’s men (Team Mana) and boys (Team Tamatoa) groups. Prior to Siva, he was a full time performer in Branson, Missouri for the Island Fire Show. He later moved to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to perform alongside world fire knife champions, the Lavata’i brothers, who trained him in the art of the Siva Afi (Fire Knife). Together they opened Polynesian Fire Productions Luau, performing at various resorts full time 6 days a week for 4 years. This is where he met his wife Stephanie. Not only does he DJ occasionally, but he is the owner of Rootz Barbershop and a busy dad.
Vise Tialino
Vise Tialino is originally from Independence, Missouri and is of Samoan descent. It is his athletic background that initially brought him to Utah where he attended Snow College and eventually continued his studies here at DSU. He was a member of DSU vocal and performance group Raging Red where he got to perform and tour throughout Utah, Nevada, and Costa Rica. Pura Vida! Vise has been dancing with Siva Pasefika for the past two years and when he’s not dancing, he works as an Anesthesia Monitoring Technician at our local hospital. “Just grateful I get to learn and share the love of my heritage with those that love to do it too.”
Spencer Taiti
Spencer is of Samoan and Tahitian descent and was born in San Diego, California and raised partially in Utah. It is here in Utah that Spencer learned and fell in love with Polynesian dancing. Performing and representing his culture in the form of dance first started out as a hobby, and has now become one of his deepest passions. He steps in and assists with instructing the male dancers of Siva Pasefika and doesn’t shy away from assisting the female dancers as he is gifted with the ability to do both.
Tui Magalogo
Tui Magalogo was born and raised in Western Samoa. He grew up in the village of Pesega / Vaimoso where he was taught traditional Samoan dances. In 2007 he left Samoa and came to the States where he lived in Wyoming. He later moved to Utah where he met his wife and was introduced to Siva Pasefika. He has been with Siva Pasefika for the past two years and is one of our newest certified fire performers. He enjoys the constant learning of his heritage through Siva Pasefika and performing dances from the different islands of Polynesia.
Raymond Amosa
Raymond witnessed his parents captivate crowds as they performed as the famous ‘Samoa Sisters’ and the ‘Nifoloa’ Bands.He played Maui in a St George parade for the Siva Pasefika float that took first place. It is here that Raymond instantly fell in love with the Aloha spirit that Siva Pasefika emulates and later joined as a performer for Team Mana. Raymond picked up a Samoan warrior knife and became ‘Chief Amosa from Samoa’ performing the Siva Afi.Siva Pasefika has become more than a dance group; they have become family to not only him but to his loving wife Taylor and their two beautiful daughters Taytum and Jayde.
Leighton Nihoa Kahaleonalani Kaonohi lll
Nihoa just recently returned from serving a two year mission for his church. A huge portion of his upbringing was on the beautiful North Shore of Oahu, Hawaii. Polynesian dance, more specifically the Hula, has been a huge part of his life. Regardless of where he lived he would perform with his family in hopes of sharing and carrying on his Hawaiian heritage.
Sione Makoni
Sione was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah. Sione’s Polynesian cultural background comes from the friendly Islands of Tonga. Currently a student at DSU, he is majoring in exercise science in hopes to be an educator in the physical education world. Polynesian dance has always been a hobby as well as an outlet to relieve the stresses of everyday life. Being with the Siva Pasefika Aiga has allowed him to showcase his deep love for his Tongan roots and appreciate the other islands of the South Pacific. He feels blessed to be able to represent his culture and heritage and hopes that by doing so it will spark the new generation to keep their roots alive and to be proud to perform it when the opportunity arises. “Ofa Lahi Atu!”
Kekoa Afualo
Kekoa Afualo is from the Island of St George. Utah is his home. His mother is from Laie, Hawaii and his father is from American Samoa, but both migrated to the States to further their education. Although Kekoa was raised in Utah his whole life, he feels that Siva Pasefika has given him the amazing opportunity to learn and experience his culture in priceless ways. He expresses “I’ve been blessed to perform at many different venues over the past year including the OC Tanner Amphitheater in Springdale, the Mid Valley Performing Arts Center in SLC, the Tuacahn Amphitheater and many others.” He is beyond excited to share a piece of each Polynesian Island with you.
Nick Soli
Born in Honolulu Hawaii, dancing has always been a part of his life, but it wasn’t until he started learning the Siva Afi (fire knife) that he began to embrace and love these aspects of his culture. Nick not only loves to do the Siva Afi, but he enjoys rugby, photography, and many water sports. In the midst of challenges, Nick finds ways to uplift and inspire others. Since his dad’s passing in 2019, dancing with Siva Pasefika has kept him connected to both his Samoan heritage and to his dad. He thanks his mom, aunt and numerous family members who support him in all his endeavors both on and off stage.
Dennis Soli
Born in Honolulu, Hawaii, Dennis was born with the gift of music and dance. He has performed in musical productions, orchestra concerts (playing multiple instruments), and has danced professionally with Siva Pasefika for 1 year. Dancing with Siva Pasefika is a way for him to stay connected to his Samoan heritage and dad who has passed. Dennis is proof that ‘you can take the boy from the islands but you cannot take the island from the boy.’ His mom and aunt are huge influencers in his life and he sincerely thanks them for all their support and direction.
Jonah Lee Palelei Lutui
Jonah is 18 years old and has grown up performing with Siva Pasifika. Two of his greatest passions are his Polynesian culture and performing. As a modern day Tongan warrior, Jonah loves sharing the vibe of the friendly islands through the Tongan dances and the energy of Meda Butu. The Fijian section reminds Jonah of his own spiritual and physical strength and that he can overcome any obstacle. In his young life, Jonah has had a lot of experience competing athletically and performing in various shows as a drummer, dancer, singer, guitarist, and pianist. After a traumatic brain injury during a football game in 2017 that ended his ability to participate in contact sports, he has focused and developed his talents as a performer. He landed his first job in the Tony Awarded Shakespeare Festival as Jerome’ in Roger’s and Hammerstein’s South Pacific. He is known for his tender heart and smooth deep voice. He credits his strength to God and his family and considers his greatest motivation for constant improvement to be his sister, Tava, who never lets him take the easy way. He resides with her and his parents, Amber and Sam, in Southern Utah.
Aisake Vuikadavu
Born and raised in Fiji, Aisake remembers being bribed with popsicles to dance to radio music and then was later taught traditional Fijian dances. He has performed these traditional dances around the world in countries like Egypt, South Africa, the Caribbean and across several states. He performed with the BYU Living Legends at the Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics in SLC. He’s a former Zumba instructor and loves to travel with his wife and two daughters.
Lokahi Vuikadavu
Lokahi was born in Hawaii and raised in Fiji where he was blessed with opportunities to learn and perform traditional Fijian dances. His older brother took the time to teach him these dances, and he started his performing career at church activities and his secondary school.He truly feels blessed and recognizes God’s hand in his performing career as he was able to perform at the Opening Ceremonies for the South Pacific Games in Fiji, the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii, with the BYU Living Legends in China and several states as well as with Tourism Fiji.He is grateful for family and loves his beloved daughter, his fiance, and her daughter.
Drew Fakahua
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Drew grew up sharing his Tongan heritage through dance. You could find him alongside his siblings and cousins performing at various events all over southern Utah. He joined Siva Pasefika 4 years ago and his powerful presence on stage has been charming the audience ever since. He is currently studying at Southern Utah University where he is on a scholarship for their cheer and stunt team.