Imma Trinidad, founder and dance instructor of the CT Tiare Polynesian Dance Troupe, started learning the Polynesian dances when she was in high school. Little did young Imma know that she will discover her passion when her mother sent her to Veda's Dance Studio in Manila, Philippines. With her parents' loving support, Imma continued dancing and performing with her cousins for cultural shows in schools, churches, military camps and restaurants, which enhanced her performing skills.
Dancing brought immense joy to Imma. In her desire to share what she knows and to spread the joy she feels when she dances, Imma started teaching hula and Tahitian dance in her hometown of Bangued, Abra, Philippines. She had 15 students of different ages, but the class ended when she moved to the United States.
However, the desire to teach never left Imma. She waited until she adjusted to life in the US. In 1995, she finally started teaching hula and Tahitian dance at the Danbury Hilton & Towers, where they held their first staged dance show performance "The Polynesian of South Pacific". This performance was a fundraising activity to benefit Ann's Place, The Home of I Can. Spurred by the success of their performance, more fundraisings and cultural show performances followed.
The CT Tiare Polynesian Dance Troupe was born. Its popularity with the local Danbury community, especially among the Filipinos, continues to grow. The Troupe performs at least ten shows each year with 30 active members.
"I enjoy every bit of it, and I'm very grateful that I learned this dance early in life. Hula dancing made me a better person mentally and socially, a stronger leader and teacher. I gained so many friends. Teaching others makes me happy. Watching them enjoy the dance, develop their self-esteem, and seeing the pride in their faces makes me happy and fulfilled."
