Riding on the adrenaline of this performance, I decided I could do with more dance in my life - which led to me successfully auditioning for the performing arm of the school I take dance classes at.
These days, our group of 11 is gearing up for a big showcase at the end of June. In anticipation of that, rehearsals are in full swing with sessions multiple times a week - which to be honest is fairly intense considering all of us are otherwise in school or work full-time!
Naturally we welcomed the short respite from practice for a pre-show photo shoot:
Naturally we welcomed the short respite from practice for a pre-show photo shoot:
From the comforts of the dance studio, we moved on to sunny Central Park. It was a GLORIOUS day and it felt like all of New York was out there - I can only assume we must have been such a sight decked in our colourful dance saris posing here and there.
Our biggest challenge was to take VERY careful steps to avoid nasty surprises in the grass..
...or balancing precariously on trees, which if we slipped would have meant landing right into the bog-filled lake!
...or maneuvering other enthusiastic tourists attempting to take a shot of that NYC skyline.
Lengthy practices aside, it truly is a wonderful experience and I could not be more honoured to be a part of an ensemble that loves dance as much as I. The girls are also immensely talented and dedicated, not to mention a HOOT to be around with.
If you are in New York at the end of June, it would mean the world to me if you saw us perform!
If you are in New York at the end of June, it would mean the world to me if you saw us perform!
All photos by Gauri Saxena