TESTIMONIALS
"The most Powerful and inspirational show we have had."
Kingswood College Vic
"An hour isn't long enough! Bernards message and performance were spellbinding."
Lalor East PS
Absolutely the best performance we have seen. Fantastic had all the students enthralled from kinder to year 12
Lavers Hill P-12
Students were absolutely spellbound, enjoyed every second and would have sat for more. Very interactive. Absolutely relevant to the curriculum and student interest, Fantastic - will book again.
Sacred Heart Booval
About me
"Don't die with the music still in you" Dr Wayne Dyer. "Good stories transcend boundaries, break down barriers and open doors. Great stories evoke emotion and emotion forges connection." Blake Mycoskie.
"I hear I forget, I see and I remember I do and I understand." Chinese Proverb.
My name is Bernard Mangakahia. I have always liked quotes because they are like parables, they tell the story in 3D. These quotes give you an idea of what I am about of what I value.
As a child, I grew up dancing and singing with my family and loved everything about it, we had fun, we danced but most of all we were together and developed a strong bond that is still present today.
Because I grew up in this dancing and performing environment it was only natural that I continued with this. I have been dancing and performing for over 30 years and performing my "MANA" show for schools in Australia and New Zealand for 20 years.
However, I have not always performed, before that, I worked as a gym instructor in Noosa on the Sunshine Coast. I then moved on to working in recreational camps as a camp coordinator, working with children in high ropes, abseiling and problem-solving which directed me to work in the corporate sector at the Hyett Regency Coolum on the Sunshine Coast, which I value to this day for the education and training and insights they gave me that I use in my performances today.
My Why
I'm like the spark that starts the engine. (I Ignite the children's spirits! through dance, culture and story) "instant combustion." I am not the engine - that's the kids.