Indian Dance Society: Dance Director

 As a passionate dancer, watching classic Bollywood films always puts me in awe of the energetic dances, and the balance of acting with dancing. Being a dance director means sharing that passion with others. 

I have extensive experience in various dance forms, including Bollywood, hip-hop, contemporary, and ballet. My background enables me to create diverse and exciting choreography that appeals to a wide audience. From 2021-2024, I founded and ran a Bollywood club at my secondary school. Over the 3 years, we performed at the school's annual dance show and have consistently been that one performance the audience looks forward to at the end of the show. I choreographed all the dances within that time, and also performed a solo at one of the shows to 'Aja Nachle'. I won 3 awards consecutively over those years: 2 for leadership and 1 for dance. I also choreographed and performed in Naach. Growing up in a South Indian household, we regularly attended Indian functions within our local community (Onam, Diwali, Christmas, Easter). My mom taught me how to dance from a very young age, I have been dancing on stage since the age of 3.

Dance has always been at the forefront in my life, and being able to continue dancing at uni over this year so far has given me the liberty and freedom to tap back into an art I love. Being a dance director would be being able to share my love for dance with other people and have a lot of fun at the same time. Plus, have a little fun.

I would love to be dance director as I've had a passion for dance from a young age, training in many styles including ballet, contemporary and Bharatanatyam. I find dance to be the best form of self-expression and stress relief and I'd like to share my love for it with others. 
Numerous experiences have helped me to acquire the skills needed for this role. Assisting my dance teachers in teaching choreography across a range of abilities and age groups has developed my empathy and listening skills. I have also learnt the importance of adapting to individuals given that everyone learns differently. Additionally, I established a Medic Society at my secondary school and delivered weekly teaching sessions, improving my organisational skills which would be needed when running weekly classes as dance director. When leading the sessions, I was able to develop the qualities of a good leader including ensuring everyone felt valued and and appreciated. Relating these skills to the dance director role, I feel it is important to gain feedback from people in how to make the weekly sessions better and find other ideas that we can bring to Indian Dance Society. Lastly, I have thoroughly enjoyed being involved in Indian Dance Society through participating in Just Bollywood, weekly classes and workshops. I would love to bring my knowledge and enthusiasm for dance to this role and explore new styles and choreography. I have gained so much from this society and would love to give back.

 

I would like to nominate myself for Dance Director for Indian Dance Society. With 15 years of dance experience in Bharathnatyam and Bollywood, I have developed a deep appreciation for the beauty and energy of Indian dance. As Dance Director of the Indian Dance Society, I will use my expertise, creativity, and leadership to create a thriving, inclusive, and high-performing dance community. My goal is to bring out the best in every dancer, foster teamwork, and ensure our society shines on every stage. My plans for the future:

• Incorporate a diverse range of dance forms, from classical styles like Bharatanatyam and Kathak to high-energy Bhangra, Garba, and Bollywood fusion in classes.
• Provide training opportunities for dancers of all levels, ensuring that beginners feel welcome and experienced dancers are challenged.
• Foster an inclusive and supportive environment, where everyone feels encouraged to participate and grow.

By being able to teach and direct dance classes every week, I feel I can show my creativity and expertise in choreography and teaching skills. I feel my organisational skills that I built up during the Just Bollywood rehearsal schedule this year, would make me suited to this role. This made me more time efficent as I learned to balance my workload with dance, making me suited to this role.

Hi, I'm Amala, and I’d love to run to be your Dance Director! I’ve seen the passionate close-knit community of dancers in this society and the variety of styles explored in the weekly sessions and workshops. I’d be thrilled to contribute and create a friendly environment for people of all backgrounds and abilities to join and enjoy dance. 

 
I’ve been learning Bharatanatyam since age 7, completing grades 1-6, intermediate, and advanced 1. Balancing these exams with performances like my annual dance academy showcase and the West Midlands U.Dance competition has developed my organisational skills, crucial for the Dance Director role. My classical dance background has also made it easier for me to learn other styles, improving my versatility. Currently, I’m preparing for my Arangetram, which requires intense training and has further strengthened my Bharatanatyam skills. 


Representing UCL in JB 2024, I showcased teamwork, commitment, and discipline, while exploring new styles like hip hop and garba. Performing in Rangeela 2025 as part of Mirchi gave me the fantastic opportunity to try a new Indian dance style, expanding my dance repertoire.
Choreographing for my school’s dance shows, both in Bollywood and Bharatanatyam, was incredibly fulfilling.  

As Dance Director, I want to share my love for dance, encourage others to try new styles, and create a space for everyone to have fun, meet new people and be a part of this community. I’d be delighted to be your Dance Director next year!