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Bharatanatyam
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Raji started
learning Bharatanatyam in 2005 and considers herself very
fortunate to have started her journey in dance under the
guidance of Joyce Akka. Apart from dance she loves biking,
music, teaching and volunteering for Asha for Education.
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Meera is a 6th
grader at Ben Franklin Elementary. She loves to dance and
has been learning Bharathanatyam from Dr. Joyce Paul
Poursabahian for over 5 years. She feels that she has gained
a lot of skills due to Akka's innovative style of teaching
dance. Someday, Meera hopes to choreograph a dance ballet!
:-)
Her other
hobbies include baking, singing and playing the piano. Last
but not the least, she loves to read!
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"I dance
because I enjoy it. I previously learnt Bharatanatyam from
Guru Shri K. Mohanan from Kalakshetra, who trained me for
about 7 years after which I performed my arangetram. Through
Arpan, I hope to understand more about this artform
and learn more dance items.
I also like Indian folk dances and Bollywood dancing, I love
doing yoga at home :), the outdoors, and exploring new
places. I also sing (ahem!)"
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Unlike other
classmates who had to jump over multiple hurdles, Giri
managed to join Dr. Joyce Paul as student over a soccer
match. But neither had imagined that what started as a
pastime of Monday evening classes would turn into the joy of
her life. She now aspires to dance with the same poise and
grace as her Guru one day. She would like to thank Joyce
Akka for the support, encouragement and faith she has shown
in her over the years. And hopes to make Joyce Akka proud
along this rhythmic journey.
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Stepanka is
originally from Prague, Czech Republic. She moved to Seattle
2 years ago and has been learning Bharatanatyam with Dr.
Joyce Paul Poursabahian since then. Bharatanatyam is her
passion and she truly enjoys being a part of Arpan. She hopes
to become an excellent dancer under Joyce Akka's training.
Stepanka is a horticulturist by profession.
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First thing I
looked for when I landed in Seattle is a Bharatanatyam dance
school :). But I never dreamt of getting a dance family. Yes
being in Arpan makes me feel like family and I very much
love being part of it. Thanks to Joyce Akka for the
opportunity and fellow Arpanites to make me feel this
way...It has been a great journey so far and i hope to
"Dance with my heart, always" :)...as Akka says.
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Dancing makes
me happy. (Some day, I hope I'm not the only beneficiary of
my dance :))).Wanting to pursue Bharatanatyam has been a
lifelong obsession for me, with several attempts in the
past. Now that I'm a serious student dancer, it is one of
the most beautiful ways to take care of myself, body, mind
and spirit. I believe this legendary dance form can help
heal the world and I hope to play a small role in my
lifetime.
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Shreedevi is
very passionate about dance and has been part of Arpan since
2007. Shreedevi has been interested in dance since her
school days and has actively participated in many dance
events. Her enthusiasm for dance led her into learning and
performing many dance forms including folk dances, ballroom
dances, hip-hop.
She has found
in Joyce an excellent teacher and feels extremely privileged
to be part of this school. This will be her first
Bharatanatyam performance in Seattle, and she is very much
looking forward to it.
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Before I
start about me... I had a dream, and that would still be a
dream if not for the patience, sacrifice and support from my
little angel (Diya) and husband (Deepak). Thank you very
much.
I am software engineer by profession but a dancer at heart.
Bharatanatyam has always been my passion and I have been
living my passion for the last two years under the devoted
guidance & teachings of my Guru, Joyce Ji. This natyam helps
me forget about myself, the world I live-in and blissfully
transforms me to a different world. Tuesday classes are
energy boosters that rejuvenates me for the next week.
Thanks to Ji for the support, motivation and belief in me as
a dancer. My dream is to dance like my Guru some day and I
aspire to one day become my little daughter's guru and pass
on this divine Art form to the coming generations.
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-
Deepthi
Amudapuram
Deepthi, also referred as
Chutki (she says "Everyone except Akka please NO Chutki").
She says
"Arpan is my first stint with Bharatanatyam and I am grateful to Akka for
making my dance experience so deep and dainty". She likes reading,
music,hiking,gardening and dance(ofcourse!).She holds least interest towards
politics (globally).And yes, when talking she is (in) famous for jumping
between topics with no prior hint:). Did I mention that I "stalked" Akka for
a year to start a new batch and teach me Bharatanatyam?... and I am so glad
I did :)
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Sangeetha’s
love for Bharatnatyam goes a long way...but opportunity to
actually learn the dance form has come in the past one year
in the form of ARPAN and she considers herself blessed to be
under Joyce Akka’s tutelage. She looks forward to perform
with her guru at some point…
Her other
interests includes singing, sewing, knitting, reading,
watching movies….
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I am glad
to be part of Arpan & learn Bharatanatyam from Joyce Akka....my
mother is very happy & excited that finally I am venturing
into fulfilling her wishes of me learning Bharatanatyam
seriously :). I am enjoying every bit of dancing with Darpan
Divas & other Arpanites, looking forward to many more years
of dancing. I also enjoy contemporary style of dance as well
& looking forward to mastering that art in the future.
Arpan Rocks!
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Shivani is
a sophomore at the University of Washington. She trained
under Guru Smt. Sivagami Vanka and completed her Arangetram
at age 14; although Bharatnatyam is her passion she enjoys
all kinds of dance including garba, raas, Bhangra, Jazz, and
ballet. She is new to Arpan and is very excited to be back
in the Bharathanatyam scene. She would like to thank Joyce
Akka and all the girls for making her feel so welcome.
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I always
used to have a desire to learn Bharathanatyam right from my
childhood and it's a dream come true after my marriage. I've
been learning Bharathanatyam from Joyce Akka from past one
and a half year and i found a lot of improvement in all
aspects of my life after that. I found myself much Stronger
as a person and more focused in life and i thank Joyce Akka
for helping me make dance as an important aspect of my life.
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Swaroop is
an avid dancer. She has given many dance performances on
Indian classical to popular Bollywood dances. She finds joy
in doing Bharatanatyam.
In Joyce Paul she has found a teacher who can take her to
new heights and teach her finer nuances of this art.
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Creative
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“Dancing
gives you wings and sets you free”. Bindu has always been
passionate about dance and feels that it’s a medium that
allows her to constantly express herself. She learnt
Bharatanatyam as a child back in India. She was fortunate to
join Arpan in 2004 after moving to Seattle. She believes
that she has grown into a fairly decent dancer (still has a
very long way to go) under the tutelage of Joyce Akka. Bindu
has also learnt Jazz, modern and folk dances. She hopes to
continue dancing all her life and dreams of choreographing a
Broadway show. Along with dancing her other interests
include reading, painting, singing, making jewelry and
traveling.
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Since a young
age, I have been involved in the performing arts be it
music, dance or acting. I love taking on challenges and I
feel that learning the fine art of Bharatanatyam is a big
one that I have taken on!
I am a technology-addict, love the outdoors and I am
fascinated by world history and literature. I believe that
life is a process of learning and discovering and I am only
getting started!
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Bharatanatyam has been my
passion ever since my childhood. I have learned dance for a
very short period (1.5 years) from my guru Ms. Matangi
Kothandaraman before coming to the US. Now, I am glad to be
a part of Arpan dance school. I have enjoyed the dance
classes with Dr. Joyce Paul Poursabahian mainly because I
feel the satisfaction and joy from my inner self which keeps
me dedicated and strong enough to dance.
I wish to
continue dancing as much as possible, learning/performing
many interesting dance pieces and completing my Arangetram.
I would love to thank my Guru for the complete support and
encouragement she gives me.
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Prior to
learning Bharatnatyam at Arpan, Naina experimented with
other forms of dance including Odissi, Kathak, folk, and
contemporary. Naina likes exploring her creative side
through dance and is enjoying the journey of learning
Bharatnatyam. Naina's other passions include traveling,
hiking, and reading.
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Being a
newbie to US and in a desperate hunt for something I can
nostalgically relate to, it was initially husband's
promptings which made me think of taking up dance as a
serious hobby. At first, I was a drawn to Arpan for the
warmth and passion that prevailed through each session, the
lively and encouraging Joyce Akka, and the radiant, excited
faces of the girls after a day's work and stress at our 7.30
pm class. Though the fact I had little background in dance
other than occasional school and college art shows made me a
little apprehensive on how things will work out, as months
passed I found such thoughts slowly ebbing away and now I
find in dance a fountain of youth and rejuvenation,
concentration and positivity, poise and grace.
I aspire to
continue this journey of learning and exploration, days
gradually helping me to inch in towards realizing the
beauty, joy and expressivity of this fascinating form of
dance- Bharathanatyam, the same way my guru Joyce Akka
perceives. My academic background is in Medical Microbiology
and my other interests include writing, compering , music
and painting.
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I am a
first grader at Ben Franklin Elementary. I love to dance! I
like many kinds of dances. I loved watching the Swan Lake
ballet and even tried the jumping jacks! But my favorite is
Bharatanatyam because it is so beautiful and complex! I love
to read, play soccer and perform. I have been learning
Bharatanatyam from Joyce Aunty for a few months now. I like
Joyce Aunty because she makes my dancing look pretty and her
classes are fun!
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Behind
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"Veena Arun
loves dance (it keeps her sane and believe me, she's a
lot better that way!), hates the knee pain, loves sewing,
hates the bad posture, loves the violin, hates using the
fourth finger (coz she thinks her fourth finger just isn't
long enough), loves being married, can't think of anything
that she hates about it (really???.... weirdo!!), loves her
4 year old daughter to death, hates the tantrums, loves
painting, hates the fact that she ain't da Vinci :), loves
knitting, hates the unfinished projects, loves Psychology,
hates the exams, loves Photoshop, hates computers (funny,
huh?! like I said earlier, she is a weirdo ;P), and so
on...."
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I have been an
ardent and open mouthed fan of Bharatanatyam for a long time
now, and a very devoted regretter of my decision to quit
when I was learning before. Joyce Akka was the only name I
had heard of when I was enquiring for teachers in the
Seattle area, and one class was all it took to convince me
to join Arpan. The very open classmates, and the
teacher-student camaraderie was amazing. As Srimathi says, I
have since found my own little family in the girls who are
always looking out for each other and lending a supporting
hand and shoulder when needed. Often I am dumbfounded how I
came upon such a school and teacher with such little effort,
and count my blessings. I hope I can be part of the group
soon once again!"
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Been a part of
Arpan the last couple of years, it has helped me understand
that I love Bharatanatyam more than I realized (it is
in-fact Realization thru dancing) and it is a lot of fun to
learn it with Joyce Akka. She makes the class both vigorous
and entertaining at the same time. One of my dreams is to do
an Arangetram (after learning Bharatanatyam for almost 12
years on and off) and will be working hard towards this goal
- the least that I can do after all the trouble and grief I
cause Joyce Akka!!! My other interests include travelling,
reading, cooking, biking and hiking.
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After learning dance under
different teachers, Shraddha is privileged to be at Arpan
under the guidance of guru Joyce Paul at Arpan dance
school, Redmond. She aspires to dance with the same passion
& elegance as Joyce Akka. Her dancing dream is to keep
dancing all her life and to make Joyce Akka proud of her one
day.
Shraddha
Deodhar-Oak trained with the Jazz Choreographer Shaimak
Davar for two years. She has advanced training in creative
Indian folk dances. She is actively involved in dramatics
and is currently working on a new production venture for a
‘Grips theatre’ play by “Experiments”. She is a
Bio-engineering doctoral student at UW, Seattle.
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