Creating connections with participants virtuallyOver the last several years, I have been working with Arts for the Aging, an organization based in the DMV area. I am their only virtual teaching artist, and it's been amazing to create connections with staff and participants entirely online. Below is a screenshot from a virtual workshop in March 2026. PC: Teddi Yoo 
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Indian Dance with Sloka at the Mulberry Street branch of the NYPL In May 2026, I presented a session of dance, conversation, and some collective dance at the Mulberry Street Branch of the NYPL. It was a great evening, and folks had some really interesting questions and observations (e.g., " Are all pieces brand new?" and "Why do dancers not lip sync in Bharatanatyam?" I am always in awe of people who have such interesting viewpoints - their participation makes my dance richer. A few images below (PC: Brian Baer): Bharatanatyam for Spanish-speaking audiencesI live in a neighborhood where a significant proportion of individuals speak Spanish. Wanting to make Bharatanatyam accessible to them, in the fall of 2025, with help from Kylie Madhav, I provided Spanish narration to Bharatanatyam pieces.
"Moving Poetry" at Westchester Square NYPL Branch I was at the Westchester Square NYPL Branch in May 2026, and it was a reminder that sometimes, for whatever reason, the room just isn't full, and the audience isn't there. Still, I did my best and danced to one (very appreciative) patron who called and invited over two of her friends. PC: Janet Goode  Learners at the Y preparing for a recital in Fall 2026The adaptive Bharatanatyam sessions at the YM&YWHA of Washington Heights and Inwood have been my longest-running, and it has been great to see the power of the dance form to sustain interest over so many years. In September 2026, learners will present a show, with preparations in full swing. One of the learners is an educator, and helps the group by writing down gestures and the order in which they appear on a board, so that everyone can follow along and remember. Preparing for the show has been great because it is giving learners a timeline and a way to focus on specific pieces in detail. Below is an image by the board to commemorate this light moment (PC: CS Rani)  Dancing Into Spring: South Asian Dance Workshop at Marine Park Alliance
PC: Scott Middleton PC: Brian Moreno
Reporter Brian Moreno covered this event in the Canarsie Courier, link here. "Moving Poetry" at Jerome Park NYPL Branch In April 2026, I was at the Jerome Park NYPL Branch in the Bronx for a Bharatanatyam demonstration and participatory dance. PC: Adam Schmidt
Bharatanatyam at NYPL BranchesSo cool to have performed at a NYPL branch associated with a scientist! I loved dancing at the Belmont NYPL and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center a few weeks ago. As I visit different library branches in the city, I am humbled and inspired by the local librarians who deeply care about patrons and go above and beyond to make each event successful, engaging, and informative. Over the last several years, I have had the chance to work with the following NYPL branches:
"Indian dance" at Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center In April 2026, I was at the Belmont Library and Enrico Fermi Cultural Center in the Bronx for a Bharatanatyam demonstration and participatory dance. PC: Jalea Thompson
Spring 2026 at the Kips Bay NYPL Branch In Spring 2026, I presented sessions on Bharatanatyam and its link with poetry in a series called "Shabd" at the Kips Bay Library. Some images from our session on April 22nd are below. While there have been few people attending, the discussions and impact are massive! Testimonials
Survey at the end of six sessions
When asked, "What did you enjoy about this program?", the responses were:
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