Educators, Administrators & PTA's - We are booking residencies assemblies and workshops for 2021-2022. We are offering in person and online programs. Please get in touch to learn more and to book Ajna to bring diversity, dance and culture to your students. Check out a short preview of our assembly here.
We share authentic and artistic Indian dance and culture through our dance education programs in schools, dance classes and performances. Over the last 8 years we have partnered with over 350 schools and shared our programs with students from Pre-K through high school.
We share authentic and artistic Indian dance and culture through our dance education programs in schools, dance classes and performances. Over the last 8 years we have partnered with over 350 schools and shared our programs with students from Pre-K through high school.
Services
Ajna Dance Company is New York's premier South Asian performing arts organization specializing in artistic and authentic arts education, performances and classes. The company was created in 2012 by Minila Shah with the purpose of making Indian dance and culture more accessible to people and students of all backgrounds.
Ajna is a New York based dance company that offers classes, choreography and professional performances. We provide authentic and artistic Indian dance and movement and pride ourselves in the quality of our dancers, instructors and choreography.
Ajna founder, Minila Shah is a trained classical dancer who is an experienced and accomplished artist and choreographer who has worked extensively in the UK and US who has been featured in the Times of India, Time Out London and The Times (UK).Wedding services including first dance choreography, group choreography and wedding workshops.
Ajna founder, Minila Shah is a trained classical dancer who is an experienced and accomplished artist and choreographer who has worked extensively in the UK and US who has been featured in the Times of India, Time Out London and The Times (UK).Wedding services including first dance choreography, group choreography and wedding workshops.
We can do live lessons on Zoom or offer prerecorded videos with short assignments for students if required. Many of our school partners have successfully transitioned to virtual dance residencies, workshops and after-school classes. Please get in touch so we can help share dance, movement, culture and fun with your students at home at this time.***.
Ajna Dance Company was created to deliver visually stunning and culturally rich performances that engage and inspire. Each of our pieces include music that has been carefully curated and paired with Minila's signature choreography, which blends the traditions of classical Indian and folk dance with Bollywood and other contemporary movement.
We can do live lessons on Zoom or prerecorded videos. We are New York's premier company for Indian dance lessons and our choreographers have extensive experience working with dancers of all levels. Each class is thoughtfully designed and tailored to meet your dance objective.***. Do you want to perform a dance or need help with choreography?
Reviews (30)
Kristen Kullberg
Apr 06, 2021
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Jean Cook
Dec 30, 2020
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Anja Dance company did a live stream assembly for our K-8 students the week before Diwali. They did an excellent job presenting the celebration of Diwali to our students. Then we switched to learning Indian dancing. What fun! Teachers and students alike got up, moved, danced, did hand and feet movements, and best of all smiled and laughed. A 7th grade boy came up to me afterwards and told me how much fun it had been, as did many other students and teacher. Learning in isolated pod classrooms in person has been a challenge, but this enlivened us all! This group is incredibly professional and wonderful
Sonya Quallis
Sep 11, 2020
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Ajna Dance conducted 2 assemblies celebrating Holi for our over 600 students in Pre-K - 5th grades. The assembly consisted of the history of various types of Indian Dances followed by a demonstration of each dance. Students and staff were fascinated during the performances. Ajna made it all come to life even more when they asked for audience participation. The students and staff both equally enjoyed all aspects of the assembly and are looking forward to others. Ajna staff members are friendly, polite, knowledgable, engaging, and professional. We will definitely book Ajna Dance for future assemblies
Nathalie Coppens
Aug 07, 2020
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Sheila O'Shea
Jul 31, 2020
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Ajna provided a 45 minute assembly for 120 third and fourth graders at my school. The group is so joyous, professional, child appropriate, interesting and engaging. The students AND teachers LOVED every minute of it.
The assembly consisted of a mix of historical information about the different types of Indian dance, along with demonstrations of each dance. It was carefully crafted and sequential. The mix of demonstrations and experiential engagement was perfect for the age group. Large group management was wonderfully executed. The whole gym came to life with everyone- students and adults- dancing
The assembly consisted of a mix of historical information about the different types of Indian dance, along with demonstrations of each dance. It was carefully crafted and sequential. The mix of demonstrations and experiential engagement was perfect for the age group. Large group management was wonderfully executed. The whole gym came to life with everyone- students and adults- dancing
Lisbeth Uribe
Jul 20, 2020
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We are so very grateful to the Ajna Dance Company for their FANTASTIC large group assembly performance and lessons that were given to our K-2nd grade students!! They are engaging and exciting educators and performers. It was so much fun to participate and watch all the young children in their homes joyfully learning the dances and watching the performances. Simply amazing!!! Thank you so so much!
Sari N.
Jul 17, 2020
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I auditioned for the performing group at Ajna last year. I was told to practice two dances and that I would need to perform them at the audition. I was emailed by the head of Ajna that there was a change of plans at that I should come on the day that she teaches her class. When I arrived at the class, I felt judged immediately - I was looked up and down. I was told that I did not need to show the two dances that I practiced but rather should follow the choreography that her younger students were learning in the class. I felt bad that I had practiced hours to prepare for the audition beforehand
Monique Tabbs
May 22, 2020
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Jessica Marin
Apr 21, 2020
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Working with the team at Ajna Dance was amazing. I'm a wedding planner and my clients tasked me with finding authentic Indian dancers and they selected Ajna Dance from a list of other options. We were not disappointed. The couple was amazed with their performance and the guests were thoroughly entertained. I would definitely recommend them for performances for any special event.
Ila Shah
Apr 11, 2020
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Larissa Fern
Oct 28, 2019
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Vimal Bodiwala
Jun 17, 2019
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We invited Ajna Dance Company to perform at our wedding reception. We had 5 dancers. The group arrived ahead of time and were friendly. Their performances were excellent. We had 2 dance medleys with each medley lasting 8-10 minutes. Within each medley, the dancers performed to 4-5 Hindi songs. Their dancing was amazing. It was well choreographed and well synchronized! My wife and I and our guests enjoyed their dance performances. The Hindi songs were popular, well-known songs. I would highly recommend Ajna Dance Company to your event as they are so fun and will help take your event to the next
Anj G.
Oct 08, 2018
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Devika Abrol
Oct 10, 2017
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I worked with Veena on dance choreography for my wedding, she was amazingly sweet and patient and did a great job getting me, my fiancé, brother and gf ready for an amazing performance. Would def recommend working with her. She was able to be flexible to our changing ideas and rush videos we needed timely. Thanks Veena!
Nupur Desai
Jul 27, 2017
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I was first introduced to Ajna and Minila 4 years ago. My friend and then coworker went for a few drop-in Bollywood classes on her Class Pass membership. And she wouldn’t stop talking about how amazing the classes were. So I decided to give it a shot and that’s when my love affair with Ajna began. I’ve been going to their drop-in classes and have… also participated in the intensives. Not only is Minila the most graceful dancer I have known, but she’s the best teacher. I have been learning Indian classical dance since I was 6 years old. But Minila’s methods and
Alison Brown
Jul 12, 2017
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Monika Misra Shah
Jun 24, 2017
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Terri Desai
Jun 19, 2017
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My daughter LOVES her bollywood dance classes! She started taking them when she was 5 and now at age 7 she has finished her third dance recital and I see her continued interest in the dancing. The teacher is amazing and very good with the children. Anja Dance Company has been an important part of my daughter learning about her Indian heritage.
Vivek P.
Sep 25, 2015
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Briana H.
Jul 15, 2015
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I can't believe I haven't yet reviewed my favorite dance workout ever. I have been taking Ajnadance classes when I can for around two years, and I never tire of it. It's the perfect extracurricular if you have a high stress job, because you can't be angry or depressed when you're doing a Bollywood dance routine. It's physically impossible. Embrace the cheesiness, smile, and shake your head side to side!
Minila is a great teacher with a sense of humor, and a creative choreographer. She almost never repeats a routine. I like the 440 Studios class because the room
Minila is a great teacher with a sense of humor, and a creative choreographer. She almost never repeats a routine. I like the 440 Studios class because the room
Michelle L.
Dec 05, 2014
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I tried to register for Ajna during NY Dance Week but it was full, so they emailed me a free pass which I ended up redeeming a few months later. I went for the Bollywood & Bhangra class on a Wednesday night at Pearl Studios. It was taught by a girl subbing for Minila (I don't remember her name, but she was awesome). It was also a really small class - only three of us that night.
The first thirty minutes was such a workout, lots of jumping around and cardio doing basic Bhangra moves. Bring water because you will definitely work up a sweat. The second half was focused on learning some brief
The first thirty minutes was such a workout, lots of jumping around and cardio doing basic Bhangra moves. Bring water because you will definitely work up a sweat. The second half was focused on learning some brief
Camille H.
Sep 11, 2014
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Took this class with my girl friend and I have to say I really enjoyed the first portion of it. Although the class was late in getting started, we did a lot of traditional moves but with a cardio slant to it. It was nonstop movement and I was sweating. When I sweat I feel like I'm burning calories, and that's what I go to dance classes to do.
However, the second half of the class we did a choreographed dance that was very stop and go and my heart rate wasn't really up for the last 30 mins. Also, the instructor spent a lot of time recalling the movements so we spent a lot of time
However, the second half of the class we did a choreographed dance that was very stop and go and my heart rate wasn't really up for the last 30 mins. Also, the instructor spent a lot of time recalling the movements so we spent a lot of time
Cassie B.
May 14, 2014
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GREAT studio and Minila was excellent.
I went there on a field trip with a girls' group. Minila was so kind and informative. She taught several different types of dances and even did a mini performance for us!
Her connection to the history of the dances showcases her passion and respect for the dances she teaches.
CHECK HER OUT!
I went there on a field trip with a girls' group. Minila was so kind and informative. She taught several different types of dances and even did a mini performance for us!
Her connection to the history of the dances showcases her passion and respect for the dances she teaches.
CHECK HER OUT!
Farah L.
May 09, 2014
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I am a Program Coordinator at a well-known non-profit agency, South Asian Youth Action! (SAYA!) I coordinated a dance trip with Minila for my program participants. Minila was great with connecting with the teenagers. She started off with an icebreaker to learn more about the girls' culture, interest, and passion. Minila then spoke about her education background, change in career: from business, to dance instructor, to now dance instructor AND Founder & Director of Ajna Dance company! The girls and I were inspired from hearing her story.
As requested by my youths, Minila taught the girls
As requested by my youths, Minila taught the girls
Monika K.
Nov 13, 2013
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Sabrina M.
Nov 07, 2013
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My husband and I (who have no bollywood dance experience) were looking to surprise my family with a small performance at my brother's wedding. She helped us put together a great routine that had everyone on their feet while we performed. She helped with music selection and choreographed the entire thing. She was patient, thoughtful, and obviously very talented. She knew our skill level and taught us accordingly and both my husband and I felt very comfortable learning from her. She's also very fun and easy to interact with which made the classes something we looked forward to. I
M. L.
Oct 17, 2013
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We hired Minila to choreo and teach our corporate consulting offices a Bollywood dance for a competition against our other offices. She had such great energy and was able to make 60+ consultants look like they knew what they were doing by breaking down all of the moves for even the most awkward of movers. It takes a great teacher to be able to make a bunch of people who sit at desks all day look coordinated, especially considering she taught 2 offices while only being able to visit one and taught the others through video conference and videos. When the two offices came together to perform for the
Ashley R.
Oct 16, 2013
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Ajna Dance offers awesome Bollywood dance classes in NYC. I did a drop in class. Minila taught my class, and she has such a great energy. I didn't know what I was getting myself into, (I grew up dancing, but have never done Bollywood.) It was so much fun and a great workout! Loved the music, loved the choreography, loved Ajna Dance!!
Mimi P.
Oct 16, 2013
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Ajna Dance is a great new company in NY founded by Minila Shah! The Bollywood dance classes at Ajna are super fun, high energy, amazingly choreographed, and a healthy dose of cardio. Minila's love of dance is apparent in her enthusiasm to teach and share dance with others. I've taken several classes around NY with various choreographers. Hands down...Bollywood classes with Minila are the best! If you love to dance, find a way to include her classes into your regular work-out routine!
Geeti B.
Sep 06, 2013
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LOVE these classes! Super easy to follow, a lot of fun and a great workout! I've been to a couple classes led by Minila and she is supremely talented. But more importantly for attending a class or looking for a teacher she is really patient, easy to follow, great at breaking down things and has amazing energy. I highly recommend checking out a class...you will get addicted!
