Dance is life...dance is love....the energy of creation

Dance is one of the deepest loves of my life. Raised in a Hare Krishna community in Vancouver, Canada, known for its full immersion into music & dance, I began my studies in Classical Indian dance at the age of 5, in Seattle USA, under renowned Odissi dance exponent, Ratna Roy.  Though my family and myself left the community when I was 16, dance caught my heart then and never let go. I continued learning Bharatanatyam, the fiery rhythmic dance of Tamil Nadu, in my early teens under Nimi Bali in Vancouver, Canada. She took me under her wing and I performed at many acclaimed events including Expo 86, University of British Colombia’s dance festival and the Ratha-yatra festival. I furthered studies in Bharatanatyam in my 20’s under Alka Goel also in Vancouver. After relocating to London UK, in 2011, I studied for 8 years under Urbi Basu, a disciple of famed Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra, obtaining a Diploma in Odissi Dance at The Bhavan, London in 2015. 

I directed and taught at my own school of Bharatanatyam dance, Devi Dasi Dance Co, in the Okanagan, BC, Canada from 1998 – 2010. One of my students, Melanie Piorecky, now operates Ananda School of Dance in the region. 

I mix Yoga into my dance practices having obtained a 200hour Hatha Yoga teacher training certification in Varkala, India in 2015 from the Abhijna School of Yoga, recognized by Yoga Alliance UK. 

I studied a BA in Education at Okanagan University in 1994 and completed a BA (Hons) Education, Culture & Society at Goldsmiths, University of London in 2016. I received my Masters in Dance Movement Psychotherapy in 2020 from Goldsmiths, University of London. In the UK I have performed Odissi dance at countless festivals including Alchemy Festival (Southbank Centre), the V&A museum, Brunei Gallery at SOAS, Watford Palace Theatre (Divine Dancing), United Nations Bengali Celebrations in Geneva, the Kamatala Festival, the Indian High Commissions Cultural wing (The Nehru Centre), the Rajo Festival, Goldsmiths, University of London’s Student Union international celebration and London International School. I have collaborated with dancers and musicians, creating choreographies and composing live music for events including Alchemy Festival, SLiDE Dance Company, Upswing Ariel at The Albany & an R&D project with dance artist Tamzen Moulding, the Croydon Mela, ShivaNova, Sydenham Arts, Music Makers at Hackney Picture House and The Nehru Centre.   

My main interest in dance is the emotional connection to ourselves and others, rhythmic explorations and the magic that happens in collaborations.

In 2020 I started Sound & Movement Sanctuary where I seek to share my knowledge and passion for dance through further collaborations and online sessions including Intro to Healing Odissi Dance, Bharatanatyam Dance Basics, Rhythm & Voice…Drum & Sing and Spur-of-the-Moment Movement sessions.  I aim to connect through dance, to bring a sense of well-being, release, expression and wonderment.

https://www.nehrucentre.org.uk/events/nritya-pranidhana-evening-of-odissi-dance/?doing_wp_cron=1677515090.4558069705963134765625