Dance with me1

Rhythm has definitely got these youngsters who want their dancing skills to do the talking. Young, independent and motivated to fight the odds, stepping up to accept the challenge of making it on their own relying solely on their talent. We get them to share their dance story.

Bhaavesh Gandhi, Creative Director- Strut The Dancemakers

He has been dancing, teaching and choreographing for the last 17 years and specialises in contemporary, street jazz and Bollywood fusion, which are his three core styles. With no formal training, just a brush with dancing as a child where he took a few dance classes, Bhaavesh, who has turned 30 recently, has literally learnt on the job and evolved along the way. He says, "I believe that anyone can dance. It's an art form that depends on your ability to feel the music, rhythm and emotions and then just letting go." Bhaavesh has trained a number of people of all ages over the years, and has even taught celebrities like Esha Gupta and Amy Jackson.He adds, "I have also had the fortune of having celebrities like Kajol, Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor, Malaika Arora Khan, Farah Khan, Sidharth Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra attend and support my classes and style of choreography."

To be a dancer you need The most important requirement is the willingness to push your boundaries as a dancer. As a teacher and choreographer, I never settle for anything that's easy and common and I expect the same from my students.

How easy/difficult was it to start on your own?
Well, nothing that's worth fighting for comes easy. It wasn't easy but I always had friends and family who were constantly supporting me and that was always the silver lining.

Who or what was your biggest support?
Niranjan Iyengar, Ryan Stephen and my mom and sister were my support system and still remain my pillars of strength.

What do your parents do (professionally)?
My dad had a business of his own but he has retired now. My mom is a homemaker.

How do you make a name for yourself without big budgets?
I think you have to keep pushing your boundaries and constantly stay true to your art and finally let your work speak for you. It's easy to make anything look grand with big budgets but the fun and challenge is to achieve the same goal when you have a tight budget. You have to work around it and come up with new, interesting ideas to make someone notice your work.

How many students have your taught so far?
That would be in thousands. I genuinely can't put a number to that.

Did you have family support?
100% from the first day I told them that dance was my calling.

What next?
There is lots of interesting and exciting work lying ahead of me and a long way to go. Bollywood choreography is certainly on the horizon and that's something that I am looking forward to.

Complete this sentence - Dancing to me means... Oxygen. It's my life. Literally like dreaming with my feet!

How can one enrol in your class?
Classes are conducted in Andheri (W), Bandra (W) and Powai. Depending on the venues, the classes are held either on weekdays or weekends, usually in the evenings. Each batch consists of 15 hours of training and we charge Rs 3,800 for the same. You can contact them on www.strut.in, www.facebook.com/strut.thedancemakers or call 9323332004

Dance and yoga with Jahnavi Sheriff

This twenty-two-year-old, maybe fairly new to teaching dancing– she started seven months ago but is enjoying every moment of it. Hip Hop, dancehall and street jazz are her forte. Jahnavi has learnt dancing from Broadway Dance Center, and Urban Dance League in New York. Her credentials speak for itself. Jahnavi had enrolled in the International student visa program, for a year, and graduated receiving the outstanding student award in September 2014. Jahnavi has also attended classes by Shaimak, Terrence and Danceworx and also has a four-year diploma in bharat natyam from Kalakshetra college of fine arts. While in Toulouse, France she also learnt dancehall and hip hop. Jahnavi believes that age is never a barrier to learn anything and adds, "Often older people pick up faster," she adds.

To be a dancer you need An open mind, physical strength and stamina.

How easy/difficult was it to start on your own?

It's hard, I feel brand new and there are so many schools and classes that are huge and popular. I have to start from scratch. When you're in a company it's kinda of easy and safe and you have guaranteed number of students so you know when you walk into class it won't be empty or less. You have a fan base. But starting alone, you never know. Everyday I have to be positive that things will work and be grateful for what I have.

Who or what was your biggest support?

My parents. They're always there, I'm the luckiest girl in the world.

What do your parents do (professionally)?

My mom - Shameem Akthar is a yoga instructor and a columnist and has published three books and is getting into art. Dad, Saisuresh Sivaswamy is an editor for rediff.com.

How do you make a name for yourself without big budgets?

I haven't yet, I hope I do soon.

How many students have your taught so far?

I've had two students for the longest time. It's gone up to four.

How many students have your taught so far?

I've had two students for the longest time. It's gone up to four.  And if you count teaching at Terence's academy over 10 each batch (three batches for dance pe lo chance students) and I don't remember how many in the company but I'm guessing 20+.  I must say the vibe in their academy is amazing. Positive and that eagerness to learn.  I love it.  Even at my own studio my students have that vibe.

Any celebrity clients that you are teaching?

Vinti idnani is a very close friend who has done a few walk ins. Terence Lewis is a celebrity thanks to my friend Eden's recommendation I've got to teach at his academy. I have taught dancehall to the Dance pe lo chance students,  and have also taught a few classes to the company members. 

Did you have family support?

Yes.

What next?

Well, I love choreography, I enjoy creating. I love performing too, i want to make it happen.

Complete this sentence- Dancing to me means... Life. It's what I am born to do. If I don't dance I feel incomplete.

How can one enrol in your class?

Classes are conducted on Tuesday and Friday from 7.30 pm to 9 pm. Fees are Rs 3,000 for 10 continuous sessions. Classes are held at Yoga Kuteer, Makani Centre, 503, next to Or-g pub. Call 9833109909, or 9167946960, and on facebook, visit Dance & Yoga with Jahnavi Sheriff

Eden Pereira

He has been dancing and teaching it for around eight years, and specializes in ballet, jazz and hip hop. He has trained in ballet jazz and contemporary for eight years now. Eden studied dancing in India at The Danceworx and also under Terence Lewis as well as abroad with Alvin Ailey Dance Company, Steps on Broadway. Broadway Dance Centre and Vertigo Dance Company in Israel. When it comes to dancing he believes age does not matter. All that counts is passion, dedication and focus.

To be a dancer you need An open mind to learn. If you want it, you can achieve it.

How easy/difficult was it to start on your own?

It is difficult. As there are many talented dancers, it is tough trying to make yourself known. But if you are good at what you do, and if you are passionate about your dancing as well as seeing your students achieve their goals, people come to you.

Who or what was your biggest support?

My biggest support would be my parents and my mentors like Terence Lewis, Ashley Lobo, Yehuda Maor, Mahrukh, Jaison and many others. The list is never ending. They helped me with my passion as there are times where you feel like giving up. But they have made me stick by it and have helped me pursue my career.

What do your parents do (professionally)?

My dad works for an airline and my mom is a teacher.

How do you make a name for yourself without big budgets?

Dance with your heart, make good friends, give as much as you can and hope that smiles come back to you.

How many students have your taught so far?

I have taught over a thousand people at least in my years being a dancer/teacher.

Did you have family support?

Yes,I did.

What next?

Not much planned for the future, taking things as they come. But I hope that dance spreads more and more in our country.

Complete this sentence: Dancing to me means... Being happy and free.

How can one enrol in your class?

I teach at Terence Lewis Dance Academy nine times a week which is a one-and-a-half year-course and Split sole Dance Academy twice a week. I teach the company at Splitsole so there isn't any duration. There is no fee as these aren't my own classes. You can reach me on on 9769381913 if you want to learn my styles of dancing.

Cordelia's Dance Factory

Malad resident Cordelia D'Silva is just 21, but started teaching at the age of 14. She says, "My mother being a dance teacher herself, I was greatly influenced by her and hence started teaching early on." Veering towards varied dance forms like bharat natyam, jazz, hip hop, hazz funk, freestyle social ballroom and bollywood, Cordelia is passionate about dancing and that is what motivated her to receive formal training in these varied dance styles. She adds, "I completed my Master of Dance with Arabgetram in BharatNatyam from Academy of Dance, I learnt from Terence Lewis for a year when I was just four years old and at Shaimak Davar Dance Academy for eight years. I was part of the show kids batch for two years) , I was part of Split Sole dance company as a probationer for two years and I have also done a number of workshops and classes with many Indian and international dancers in various styles." Like many other instructors Cordelia too believes anyone and everyone can dance.

To be a dancer you need Since I teach kids, I always tell their parents that I need the kids to want to learn how to dance and not their parents forcing them, that's my only requirement is that my student is enthusiastic about wanting to LEARN.

How easy/difficult was it to start on your own?

I started of at home, in my bedroom with just four kids and now I have so many, for me it was not so difficult as it was my extra pocket money while I studied.

Who or what was your biggest support?

My mother of course, she being a dancer herself, encouraged me to dance from a young age and she took me and sat outside various classes for hours, while I attended my dance classes and made sure I learnt as much as I could!

What do your parents do (professionally)?

My mother was a math and science teacher for the secondary school but gave up when we were born, now she teaches music and social ballroom dancing. My dad is an engineer.

How do you make a name for yourself without big budgets?

I have not advertised even once and all my student have come only because of word of mouth!

How many students have your taught so far?

Well, that's difficult, I think for sure 500+.

Did you have family support?
Yes, my parents and brother support my every move!

What next?

Well, I'm currently doing my LLB and MCom and want to become a law professor one day, howeve,r I think I will continue with my dance classes as long as I live as it has always been my passion.

Complete this sentence: Dancing to me means...Letting go of oneself and enjoying the freedom of Expression!

How can one enrol in your class?

I conduct classes for kids and I am In fact just starting a new adult batch in June at Stay Fit studio, Orlem, Malad (W). The batches start in June and end in November with an annual stage show. I conduct jazz and basic ballet for 4.5 yaers and above in segregated age-wise batches. I also conduct jazz funk for kids and adults. Also, my advanced batches learn various other styles. You can contact the studio to enrol your kid at Stay Fit studio on 02240059911.

Naach by Nicole and Sonal

This duo believes in rocking the dance floor and how! Together they teach bollywood, hip hop, freestyle and belly dance for beginners and Dirty Dancing for couples. Twenty-four-year-old, Sonal Devraj is a trained bharat natyam dancer while her 25-year-old- dance partner Nicole Concessao has trained in kathak for three years. Apart from that they have also individually trained under different choreographers over a long period of time. Both believe there is no age limit when it comes to learning dancing. So infectious is their energy on the dance floor that even actors Jackky Bhagnani and Lauren Gottlieb could not resist the urge to jam up with a class recently. Over to them.

To be a dancer you need Confidence and a constant need to have fun with dance.

How easy/difficult was it to start on your own?

We saw a studio space and thought of taking a trial session. We got a great response and started taking sessions in Bandra.

Who or what was your biggest support?

Friends and family! They spread the word about Naach like wild fire over social media. We haven't done any form of advertising so far and have got clients and students based on word of mouth.

What do your parents do (professionally)?

Sonal's parents are based out of Bahrain. Her dad is the general manager at Al Nisr Aluminum and her mom's the admin head at Techno. My dad is the general Manager at plastics firm in Lagos, Nigeria and my mom is a homemaker.

How do you make a name for yourself without big budgets?

Be amazing at what you do and the rest falls in place. Plus, there's always word of mouth and social media.

How many students have your taught so far?
At class, more than 150-200 students now. For sangeets, close to about 700 people.

Did you have family support?

Our families always supported us but we ensured we financed this initiative ourselves.

What next?
We want to branch out and take sessions across the city.

Complete this sentence: Dancing to me means... love passion freedom expression.

How can one enrol in your class?

We conduct classes around Bandra and Andheri. We're currently hosting sessions at Beat n Bounce Studio, Andheri (W) every Tuesday and Thursday from 8.30-9.30 pm. We've also taken sessions at Bandra which we intend to continue in the coming months. For 12 sessions you would pay Rs 3,000, two sessions are held per week. You can contact us on 9930308556/9930403026 or visit our facebook page www.facebook.com/teamnaach or just drop by.