Maile Makaafi is a queer Pasifika movement artist and aspiring puppeteer! Originally a hula dancer, Maile began to explore jazz and ballet as a pre-teen. This led them to continue their education at Pace University’s BFA Commercial Dance program (2019). Thanks to a professor at Pace, Maile was encouraged to audition for the world-renowned Radio City Rockettes. She was awarded the job onstage at the Rockettes’ Summer Intensive, making her the first and only Tongan Rockette in history (since 1925!).

Always drawn to the Pacific Ocean, Maile moved to Los Angeles in 2020. This is where they truly began to individuate and connect to their artistry and communities. During this time, professionally, Maile found great success working across Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and New York. Selected credits: Dance Captain and Original Cast of Katy Perry’s Las Vegas Residency “PLAY”; The Tony Awards; Saturday Night Live; The Masked Singer.

Maile’s passion for jazz dance and accessibility inspired them to begin teaching free dance classes for movers of all levels across Los Angeles. This independent practice fell deeply into alignment with LAJC’s mission to share jazz dance with integrity via community outreach classes and performances. As a recent addition to the company, Maile is overjoyed to be back in her jazz shoes under the brilliant direction of Jackie, Will, and Brandon, performing alongside some of her favorite dancers in Los Angeles.