Today we’d like to introduce you to Chandana Behera. They and their team shared their story with us below:
Chandana Behera has been a trained Odissi dancer and teacher for over 20 years. She started learning when she was 4 years old and gave her first performance at the young age of 5. She is a Nrithya Visarad (Bachelor) and Nritya Vaskar (Master) in Odissi dance. She has won several awards for lead performances, choreographed, and performed in dance videos both in India and the US. She has judged prestigious dance competitions across multiple dance styles. Chandana also teaches in small groups, provides private lessons, and choreographs dances for Wedding / Birthday parties. Choreography includes folk, fusion, western, and semi-classical styles. She is passionate and driven to use the power of performing arts to engage with and explore social issues that face humanity today. I was born and raised in East India, Odisha. I have been passionate about dance since my childhood. I have been teaching Bollywood Dance for 20 years now. I moved to the USA in 2012. since then, I have performed more than 300 stage performances, including Odissi and Bollywood dance. I have taught more than 5000 students till now and am looking forward to more sessions. I provide online and in-person classes in Odissi Dance, Bollywood Dance, and Bollywood Fitness for adults. I have received over 100 awards for stage performances, dance competitions, and charity shows. The best was when I received a gold medal from Kumkum Mahanty (a famous Odissi dancer)at 15.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s never been a smooth and easy journey. I have faced a lot of challenges, and I overcame them.” The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it.” There are ups and downs in life, but I handled it by staying strong and positive.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next, you can tell us more about your business.
I started teaching dance in childhood but thought of having an Organization in the future. When I started teaching, I saw people gaining from my sessions; then I thought of starting my Dance school to reach out to more and more people who need to learn dance. Natraj Dance School of Art specializes in Indian classical Odissi dance. We conduct Bollywood dance and fitness classes for all ages and serve our customers across Austin, Leander, Georgetown, and Cedar Park. We choreograph and train groups for private events.
Bollywood Dance
Natraj Dance provides Bollywood-style dance classes. It is a dance form originating from Indian movies and is one of the most famous dance styles in the world. Bollywood dancing develops natural rhythm, balance, and flexibility, strengthens coordination skills, tones the body, and relieves stress. We have students of all ages, and you don’t have to be a professional dancer or have any prior training to enjoy dancing at our Bollywood classes.
Age No Limit
We are dedicated to developing our talent pool and inspiring students to reach their potential. We do that by understanding their goals and then building a customized plan that helps them reach their goals.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
Live music capital of the world, vibrant entertainment scene, good job market, excellent schools, unique cuisine, and endless outdoor activities. Dislike -Rapid population growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://natrajdanceschool.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natrajdanceschool
