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Pennsylvania

Teachers & Performers of Indian Music & Dance

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TABLA, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU
This is the first volume of the most complete series on the tabla. Fundamentals of Tabla

It is available around the world. Check your local Amazon for pricing.

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Name: Masood Afzal
E-Mail: masoodmusic@yahoo.com
Field: Key­board
Location: Allentown, PA USA
Telephone:
Misc. Info: (e.g., https:/www.youtube.com/user/masoodmusicable I have been play­ing key­board for last 20 years. I also have a YouTube channel. Time time I add Key­board tutorial

Name: The Archana Dance Academy and Usiloquy Dance Designs
E-Mail: us@usiloquydance.org
Field: Bharatnatyam, Kala­kshetra style.
Location: City Fitness, 200 Spring Garden Street, Philadelphia PA 19123
Telephone: (267) 324-5917
Misc. Info: Classes offered for Bharat­natyam every Thursday evening for people over age 18 years. www.usiloquydance.org https://www.facebook.com/pages/Usiloquy-Dance-Designs/159127290818530 Shaily Dadiala, Artistic Director.


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Name: Pandit Jayawant Bantwal
E-Mail: Tansenhari@aol.com
Field: Hindu­stani Clas­sical Music (Tabla, Key­board & Vocal)
Location: Philadelphia, Pa
Telephone: (732) 927-3246
Misc. Info: Web­site:www.TansenharidasMusic Academy.com. Pt Jayawant Bantwal is a senior tabla dis­ciple of Maestro Pt Taranath-ji and child­hood student of Tabla and Vocal under Pt A.K.Kumar. Pt Bantwal has received nearly 20 years of Tabla train­ing and has won numer­ous Tabla and Vocal Com­peti­tions in India, while he was a student. He has been teach­ing children and adults for 35 years. He has rendered tabla solos and accom­pani­ment to eminent Vocalists and Instru­mental­ists like Pts Jasraj, Pt. C.R. Vyas, Rajan & Sajan Mishras, Vijay Raghav Rao, Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Ustad Vilayat Khan, Shujat Khan, Ustad Salamat Ali Khan, Dr Prabha Atre, Smt Lakshmi Shankar and dozens of others, both in India and Continental U.S. Pt he is avail­able for Perfor­mances.

Name: Hemkalyan Bapat
E-Mail: hembapat@hotmail.com
Field: Tabla
Location: 3003 Nottingham Road, Norristown, PA 19403
Telephone: 484 686 6988
Misc. Info: ..

Name: Dita Basuthakur from Arya Dance Academy
E-Mail: ditathedancer@gmail.com
Field: Bharatnatyam, Ballet, Hip Hop, Bolly­wood
Location: Philadelphia, PA 19426   Schools in: Bensalem and Lansdale, PA
Telephone:
Misc. Info: check out: aryaintl.com


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Name: Courtyard Dancers
E-Mail: courtyarddancers@yahoo.com
Field: Kathak (Indian classical dance)
Location: Philadelphia, PA, USA
Telephone: (email preferred)
Misc Info: Website – http://courtyarddancers.org/mission.html . Classes currently being conducted in-person (with masks required) , accompanied by live tabla at the Philadelphia location. Winter/ Spring 2022 semester – Every Sunday, January 16th- Sunday May 15th 2022.For more details on classes listed here: http://courtyarddancers.org/classes.html . Visit us on our Social media pages: Facebook- @CourtyardDancers 
Instagram-courtyarddancers_kathak ..

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TABLA, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU
This is the second volume of the most complete series on the tabla. Advanced Theory of Tabla

It is available around the world. Check your local Amazon for pricing.

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Name: Dr. Manimekalai Daniel
E-Mail: mekalai@yahoo.com
Field: Bharata­natyam & Semiclassical / Bollywood
Location: Morrisville, PA & Pennington, NJ
Telephone: 215-295-2306
Misc. Info: www.manimekalai.com

Name: Firuzi Desai
E-Mail: vedantadanceacademy@gmail.com
Field: Bharata­natyam Clas­sical dance/ fusion/ Bollywood
Location: 365 Hawthorn Ln, Whitehall, PA-18052
Telephone:
Misc. Info: www.vedantadanceacademy.com. Firuzi Desai runs Vedanta Dance Academy and has been teach­ing and Choreographing Bharata­natyam/fusion and Bolly­wood for last 16 years now. She started learn­ing the Indian clas­sical dance form at the age of four and today holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Bharata­natyam under the aegis of Felicity Art and Masters from Utkarsh Dance Academy. Besides teach­ing, Firuzi loves per­forming and choreo­graph­ing bharatanatyam, fusion and Bolly­wood dance per­formances. She has per­formed in dif­ferent coun­tries in dance festival (diver Medal), college shows, com­munity shows and com­peti­tions. She also tries to spread aware­ness about the art form through work­shops, lectures and per­formances in various schools, colleges and events.

Name: Anwesha Dutta – Nava Nritya Dance Academy
E-Mail: navanritya11@gmail.com
Field: Clas­sical and Contem­porary Dance
Location: Insti­tute of Clas­sical and Contem­porary Dance, Blue Bell, PA
Telephone: 215-598-5154
Misc. Info: Artistic Director – Anwesha Dutta, www.navanritya.org

Name: Sunita Dutta
E-Mail: sunitadutta@outlook.com
Field: Kathak, Bolly­wood style, Indian folk dance
Location: Bethlehem, PA 18018
Telephone:
Misc. Info: Sunita Dutta is a graduate degree holder in Lucknow Ghrana of Kathak. She started learn­ing at the age of 3 from Shri Rajan Haanju, Kathak Kala Kendra in India. She has been learn­ing and teach­ing Kathak from the past 17 years and also practices free style dance form. Sunita has choreographed and per­formed in many programs in India and USA. She incorporates post-modern choreographic tools and movement on core principles and tech­niques of Kathak and modern dance. She has since been choreo­graph­ing in both trad­itional and free style genres. She also teaches bolly­wood dance form along with Indian folk dances. She is a huge fan of Bolly­wood dance form! She is also a graduate degree holder in Lucknow Gharana of Hindu­stani music. Recently Sunita moved to US, and has been choreo­graph­ing for children and adults and wishes to continue the same.


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Name: Michael Griska
E-Mail: michaelgriska@gmail.com
Field: Sitar, Surbahar
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Telephone: 412-414-8617
Misc. Info: I teach and per­form both the sitar and surbahar. Concerts, weddings, record­ings, yoga studios. My Guruji is K. Sridhar who studied under Z.M. Dagar. Hailing from the Dhrupad trad­ition I specialize in a long alap, jor, jhala, followed by compo­sitions. Raga grammar, shriutis, and math are the core of my raga/ tala development. Web­site – michaelgriska.com.

THESE BOOKS MAY NOT BE FOR YOU
A superficial exposure to music is acceptable to most people; but there is an elite for whom this is not enough. If you have attained certain social and intellectual level, Elementary North Indian Vocal (Vol 1-2) may be for you.

This has compositions, theory, history, and other topics. All exercises and compositions have audio material which may be streamed over the internet for free.
Are you really ready to step up to the next level? Check your local Amazon.

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Name: Amritha Jayashankar
Email:amrithajayashankar.97@gmail.com
Field: Carnatic Vocal
Location: Philadelphia, Malvern, King of Prussia, Bethlehem, Collegeville (PA, USA)
Telephone: 262-212-9020
Misc Info: Hi! My name is Amritha and I have trained in Car­natic vocal music for over 14 years. I have per­formed in the Milwaukee and Greater Chicago area for the past twelve years, and have taught chil­dren and adults for annual per­for­mances during the Tyagaraja Aradhana at WI temples. I have also won awards singing at the Chicago Tyagaraja Utsavam in past years. I am will­ing to teach both adults and chil­dren on even­ings and week­ends through Zoom/FaceTime. Please feel free to con­tact me if you have any questions!..

Name: Anjali Jeyaram
E-Mail: anjalimuralidharan08@gmail.com
Field: Carnatic Vocal & Bharata­natyam
Location: 623, Willowbrook Dr, Jeffersonville, Norristown PA, 19403
Telephone: 610 638 1202
Misc. Info: Anjali is a post graduate in Carnatic music and Bharathnatyam from Kala­kshetra, Chennai. She has been train­ing in Dance and Carnatic music over last 20+ years. She is a playback singer active in Malayalam movie industry. Her yet to be released song “Ayigiri Nandini” in a Indian based Hollywood movie was nominated for OSCAR under Best Original Song score category. She has per­formed both Dance and music in various stages across South India. Being a dancer herself, she specializes in sing­ing for Live Dance per­formances.

Name: Radhika Joshi – Nupoor Dance School
E-Mail: nupoorclass@gmail.com
Field: Kathak and Bolly­wood Dance
Location: West Grove, PA
Telephone: 302-660-6871
Misc. Info: Radhika Joshi is an excellent dancer, teacher and choreo­grapher. She has done her gra­duation in Kathak. She is the director of Nupoor Dance School and has been teaching Kathak for more than ten years. The school trains students for certified exams as well as grooms them to be a great performer. The school has three branches – 1. Newark, DE, 2. West Grove, PA and 3. Downingtown,  PA. For more infor­mation, please visit, www.nupoordanceschool.com


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Name: Avtar Chand Khera
E-Mail: avtar.chand@gmail.com
Field: North Indian clas­sical music – Vocal
Location: Hatfield, PA
Telephone: 267-577-1555
Misc. Info: ..


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Name: Madhavika
E-Mail: needinfoml@gmail.com
Field: Female Composer and Vocalist – Bolly­wood Style
Location: Abington, PA, USA
Telephone: (215) 688-1062
Misc. Info: Per­formed locally at several venues and on Inter­national Cable Tele­vision

Name: Mrs. Priyambada Mishra
E-Mail: priyambada.mis@gmail.com
Field: Hindu­stani Clas­sical Vocal Music
Location: Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, USA
Telephone: Home-(717)-737-9047; Mobile-717-339-6287.
Misc. Info: Mrs. Mishra was trained under her father, eminent classical vocalist of India Pandit Damodar Hota. She received All India National Talent Search Scholarship by Govt. of India as well as many awards including HARI Om Trust Pratam Purashkar for scoring highest marks in Practical Exam (M. Music) in Sangeet Alankar Exam by AVGM Mandal, Mumbai in 1995. Currently, she has been training her students as per Gandharva Mandal syllabus of India. Students  have already been examined by AVGM examiners and receiving certificates from Mandal.


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Name: Nisha
E-Mail: nishadanceacademy@gmail.com
Field: Bharatnatyam, Bolly­wood and Folk Dances
Location: Wilkes-barre, pa 18612; Scranton, PA
Telephone: 908-922-0636
Misc. Info:


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Name: Sapna Patil
E-Mail: sapna@danceillusions.org
Field: Bharat­natyam and Bolly­wood dance
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Telephone: 267-342-9888
Misc. Info: I have per­formed and choreographed Bolly­wood dances for 20+years. I have my certification in Indian clas­sical dance (Bharatanatyam) and have taught both Bharata­natyam and Bolly­wood classes. My dance company, Dance Illusions, offers 3 ser­vices – Teaching, Choreo­graphy, Dance per­formances. Dance Illusions has a female dance troupe that engages the audience while delivering upbeat and high quality per­formances. Our fusion dance style blends eastern and western culture. We also assist with choreo­graph­ing dances and offer pri­vate lessons which provide the attention required for anyone to gracefully per­form Indian dance. Feel free to con­tact me if you are inter­ested in learn­ing Bolly­wood or Bharata­natyam or if want us to per­form at your upcoming event! Here is our web­site: www.danceillusions.org..

This book is available around the world
Check your local Amazon. More Info.

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Name: Shreya Raghuraman
E-Mail: raghuraman.shreya@gmail.com
Field: Carnatic Teacher- Vocal
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Telephone: avail­able upon email request
Misc. Info: I am extremely passionate about this South Indian art form, and want to help other eager stu­dents in the area develop that same passion. Rates are very flexible and start at $12 for one hour pri­vate lesson. Email for a free trial class.

Name: Vijaya (Shah) Rajkotia – School of Indian Music
E-Mail: Vijayarajkotia@hotmail.com
Field: Vocal- clas­sical and light music.
Location: 353 Stonyhill Drive, Chalfont, PA 18914
Telephone: (215) 822-2334
Misc. Info: I learned music from my father Shri P.D.Shah who was the Rudra Veena player and was teach­ing vocal, sitar, dilruba, flute and violin in his school. I did my San­geet Visharad courses from Mini J. Kapadia who was the dis­ciple of Ustad Khadim Husain Khan of Agra Gharana. I passed my San­geet Visharad degree from Bhatkhande Music university . I had further train­ing from Pt. Lakshman Prasad Jaipurwale, Thumri sing­ing from Smt. Shobha Gurtu. I have per­formed at Mumbai, London, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Greenville, S. Carolina, Raleigh N. Carolina and local places.

Name: Rajsingh Ramanjulu
E-Mail: yeshunivasa@gmail.com
Field: Tabla
Location: 61 Bristol Ct. Norristown Pa. 19403
Telephone: 484-769- 2383
Misc. Info:


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Name: Darshika Sanghani
E-Mail: darshikasanghani@gmail.com
Field: Dance- Gujarati folk dance
Location: William Henry Appts, 106 King Road, Malvern 19355 PA
Telephone: 610 480 8979
Misc. Info:

Name: NrutikaLakshmi Sankar
Field: Bharathanatyam
E-Mail: eknlsankar@gmail.com
Location: 120 Forge Ct, Malvern, PA 19355
Telephone: 702-635-4191 (mobile)
Misc. Info: I have choreographed and per­formed in the local temples – Bharatiya Temple & Delaware Mahalakshmi Temple, Penn Museum of Archeology & Anthropology, Council of Indian Association Philadelphia etc. Classes are con­ducted in the above location. New batch starts from October. Registration open now!

Name: Lenny Seidman
E-Mail: lenny.seidman@gmail.com
Field: Tabla
Location: 221 Vine St. #24, Philadelphia PA 19106
Telephone: 215 990 7277
Misc. Info: Lenny teaches tabla & rhythm theory in both the traditional approach and for contemporary applications. He has studied tabla with Zakir Hussain, Ishwarlal Misra, Chotelal Misra, Kiran Deshponde and Carnatic music with Adrian L’Armand. His performing and composing focus has been to incorporate tabla in a vast array of intercultural and interdisciplinary collaborations. He has performed internationally and throughout the Americas with Spoken Hand Percussion Orchestra which he co directs, Zakir Hussain, Rennie Harris’ “Facing Mekka”, Atzilut: Concerts for Peace, “ARC” and others, and was a guest artist at Swarthmore College for 12 years..

Name: Saptak Music School 
E-Mail: nidrita26@gmail.com 
Field: Indian Classical Vocal & Tabla
Location: Oakdale (near Pittsburgh), PA, USA
Telephone: 412-676-5922
Misc. Info: Indian Vocal (Classical, Semi-Classical, Bengali) music taught by Nidrita Mitra-Sinha. Tabla lessons taught by Asish Sinha. Website- www.saptakmusicschool.com. Saptak music school has been teaching Indian music to the Pittsburgh community since 1998. More details can be found at the website..

Name: Megan Sem
E-Mail: megan.sem@gmail.com
Field: Bolly­wood dance and Yoga dance
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Telephone: 610.451.5836
Misc. Info: Website – www.roohyoga.com. Megan has been dancing in Bolly­wood style for over 20 years. At 29 years old, she has taught several local youth Bolly­wood dances for cultural fun­ctions, weddings, etc. Megan also is a certified yoga instructor and con­ducts “Yogabeat” classes (dance movements in yoga form). She has a passion for all things Bolly­wood, and teaches kids 2 years and up.

Name: Yousaf Sethi
E-Mail: yousaf-sethi@hotmail.com
Field: Guitar and voice.
Location: 321 Manor Avenue Millersville, Pennsylvania
Telephone: 1443-996-1090
Misc. Info: https://www.facebook.com/yousafsethiii

Name: Nandini Sikand
E-Mail: nsikand@yahoo.com
Field: Odissi dance (Indian Clas­sical dance)
Location: College Hill, Easton PA 18042
Telephone: 917 225 3214
Misc. Info: www.nandinisikand.com ..


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IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN TABLA, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU
This is the fourth volume of the most complete series on the tabla. Focus on the Kaidas of Tabla

It is available around the world. Check your local Amazon for pricing.

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Name: Dr. C. M. Verma
E-Mail: vermacm@gmail.com
Field: Light Vocal Music ( Ghazal, Geet, Bhajan ), Old Hindi Movie Songs, All recorded Hindi ghazals by leading ghazal singers. Violin (Indian Clas­sical Ragas Basic) Harmon­ium ( Hindi movie songs )
Location: City, State and Country 1016 Pine St. Apt 3. Philadelphia. PA. 19107. USA
Telephone: +1 215 495 7045
Misc. Info: B.Music in Vocal., B.Music in Violin (University topper, Gold medalist)., “B”High grade Ghazal,Geet & Bhajan singer of All India Radio & Door­darshan Tele­vision of India.


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Other Sites of Interest

Implicit learning of Indian Music by Westerners

Nowadays: The Role of Internet for Propagation and Proliferation of Music

Multicultural Music Instruction in the Elementary School: What Can Be Achieved?

Training in Indian Classical Dance: A Case Study

Rasabodha: Understanding Indian classical dance by recognizing emotions using deep learning

Embodying culture : gurus, disciples and tabla players

Distance Education in Indian Music : Feasibility and Prospects

My Experience in Bharata Natyam (Indian Dance)

Learning Embodied Semantics via Music and Dance Semiotic Correlations


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If you are a sitar tea­cher, a tabla tea­cher, or an in­structor in any form of Indian dance or music, you can add your name to database.  You can make modifications to existing listings by contacting the administrator.

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