Class policies

Introduction:


Vid. Nithya Ramesh has learned Bharatanatyam for over two decades and has given over 300 performances professionally since the age of 12. She completed her Rangapravesham in 2007 and the Vidwath (scholar/proficiency) level exams in 2013. Nithya has always had a passion for teaching and began mentoring and teaching students at her guru’s institution under his guidance before branching out to teach on her own in 2013. When she moved to the US in 2015 to pursue a master's degree, Nithya wanted to continue teaching and taught dance to adult students at the International House of Rhode Island, Providence RI. After moving to the upper valley in 2017 for a job at Dartmouth College, Nithya once again began teaching a new set of students with the support of the Carter Community Building Association (CCBA) in Lebanon. Due to the pandemic, Nithya shifted her classes online and now currently teaches students online as well as in-person in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Nithya is a very passionate teacher and her students can vouch for her dedication to them. She uses collaborative and constructive learning pedagogies, and works with each individual student to meet them where they are in their learning ability, and helps them grow their interest and skill.


Structure of the class:


Adult classes:

At the beginner level, Nithya’s focus is on familiarizing the students with basic foot movements and getting the student comfortable with applying hand gestures in coordination with fast-paced footwork.


The primary goals are to:

  • encourage the student to understand the background of Indian classical dance and its rich history intertwined with mythology

  • become familiar with the music and rhythm patterns of Indian dancing and

  • be able to synchronize foot and hand movements with music in the choreographed sequence


Each session begins with 5 minutes of warm-up, 15 - 20 minutes of revising previously learned techniques and movements, 20-25 minutes of learning new techniques and choreography, and 5-10 minutes of cool down and stretching. Students are encouraged to learn at their own pace. At the end of the term, there is an optional showcase for interested students. Nithya may also teach folk/Bollywood dance for a couple of sessions (depending on student interest) if they would like to have a break from the usual momentum of classes.


Kids classes:

Children are quick learners but also have shorter attention spans and need more activities to stay engaged in class. Nithya does not accept students below the age of 5 since it is hard for them to focus and it will be detrimental to their development.

Their class will be similarly structured to the adult classes, however, they will be learning at a slower pace initially till they get used to the class environment. Kids’ lessons are shorter and 45 minutes in length.

Similar to the adult classes, the class will begin with a warm-up, and students will revise previously taught techniques. Following this, Nithya will lead a loosely structured choreography session where each student can take turns leading the class through their favorite movement(s). This segment has been uniquely developed to encourage the kids to move around and explore their space and creativity. It also gives them an opportunity to break away from the monotony of class structure and engage in fun self-structured activities that they feel personally invested in. It also encourages them to practice movements for the next class at home. Following the free choreography segment, students will be taught new techniques and footwork, and they will cool down and stretch before being dismissed for the day.


Please note: While Nithya will make every attempt to nurture the students’ talent and interests, the primary goal of the classes is to foster learning. Nithya will not rush their learning and compromise on the quality of their technique to push them for performances before they are ready, as it will not only poorly reflect her teaching abilities but also demotivate the student if they do not perform well. We hope the parents understand the motivation behind this sentiment and do not pressure the kids into going on stage before they personally feel ready to do so.


Class fees:


Rates may vary depending on the batch size, frequency of classes, and stage of learning. Please email classes@natyaroha.com to get more information on the fees. The classes will not be prorated if a student misses a class, however, Nithya will make up a class if she has to cancel for any reason. Every effort will be made to accommodate a change in class time if most of the students cannot make it at the regular time.

Students are encouraged to practice at home by reviewing class tutorial videos and pictures posted on the website.


Payment can be made via Venmo (@natyaroha), Zelle, cash, or check.