Time to celebrate another year of creativity, energy, and passion for dance by getting out there and moving to your own beat or with like-minded enthusiasts in a class or workshop. To get you inspired, he’s a peek at a classic Bollywood wedding medley with choregrapher, Tasherit Sturm Dahal, and talented young dancer, Azaarine! https://bit.ly/3KntW3m… Continue reading Dance Day 2022
Author: Utpalasia
UMW Festival
Thanks to all who turned out for the University of Mary Washington’s Multicultural Festival. After a hiatus of two years, we were eager to hit the stage again and audience enthusiasm was as energetic as the dance performances!
CID Awards
Utpalasia is delighted to announce our first award ceremony for the International Certification of Dance Studies. We will be honoring students who have completed the 150 hour training requirement and who have passed the rigorous practical, theoretical, and technical examination. This year we are awarding levels one through three. Short performances will follow the presentation.… Continue reading CID Awards
Pandit ji Birju Maharaj Passes
The foremost master of classical Indian Kathak dance, Pandit ji Birju Maharaj, passed away on January 17, 2022. He gave the world a unique glimpse of master storytelling through dance with skill, finesse, and beauty. Born into the most prestigious family of Kathak artists – Shambhu Maharaj, Lachhu Maharaj, and Acchan Maharaj – he was… Continue reading Pandit ji Birju Maharaj Passes
CID UNESCO Seminar
Utpalasia is honored to be among the speakers for the International Dance Council – CID UNESCO online seminar to explore and discuss “Indian Dance in the Americas.” We will be joined by professional educators, as well as artists and dancers from around the globe providing inciteful glimpses into the challenges faced, and current innovations implemented,… Continue reading CID UNESCO Seminar
The Gau: Portable Sacred Space of the Himalayas
Vintage Himalayan jewelry is in a class by itself. It has flourished in land-locked societies, in middle hill villages, on steep and stark plateaus, on the Earth’s highest peaks, and in green and fertile flatland. It has been traded and bartered, passed down and upcycled. Craftsmanship skills are passed from generation to generation, but this… Continue reading The Gau: Portable Sacred Space of the Himalayas
Utpalasia Celebrates Newest CID Members
We had the pleasure of presenting a new group of students with their International Dance Council memberships last month. Each of these motivated young dancers is a candidate pursuing their Certification in Dance Studies for the year 2021 with Utpalasia. The Conseil International de la Danse (also known as CID) is an official partner of… Continue reading Utpalasia Celebrates Newest CID Members
Redefining Dance in the Age of COVID
Since March of 2020 Utpalasia has been supporting our students and continuing both classes and workshops online. There have been challenges, to be sure, but we have engineered new found energy into our sessions to keep our dancers motivated and pursuing their passion in exciting ways. A large part of our ability to do that… Continue reading Redefining Dance in the Age of COVID
In Memoriam: Laxmi Nath Shrestha
We are immensely saddened by the passing last week in Nepal of honored mentor and beloved teacher, Laxmi Nath Shrestha (1949 – 2020). I had the privilege and honor of studying with Laxmi ji at the University of Heidelberg (SAI Institute). His unique instruction of the Nepali language, often interspersed with cultural anecdotes, was engaging… Continue reading In Memoriam: Laxmi Nath Shrestha
Fall Semester Dance Classes
Time to get fit and healthy for those long hours you know are coming in front of a computer screen as more and more people work remotely and schools begin their online fall semester. Workout machines are great, but nothing matches the joy and excitement of getting up and dancing your heart out. Utpalasia is… Continue reading Fall Semester Dance Classes