Upcoming Events:
May 20th, 2017 – Ajna students and Ensemble dancers will present a term’s worth of work at the Spring Recital & Showcase
Past Events:
April 8th, 2017 – Ajna Assistant Director, Shachi Phene, conducts a series of workshops on Hindu mythology and Indian dance based on Krishna for the students of the Brooklyn Friends School
March 24th, 2017 – Ajna instructors, Alisha Desai and Shachi Phene, complete a residency at PS 87 with the students from six 3rd grade classes performing a range of semi-classical, Indian folk, and Bollywood dances for their peers and parents
March 18th, 2017 – Ajna dancer and instructor, Proma Khosla, participates as a judge at Infusion dance competition, PA
March 16th, 2017 – The Ajna Ensemble releases its second independent dance video project, to a Marathi lavani, “Kashi Mi Jau”
March 12th, 2017 – The first #AjnaDanceChallenge, a routine to Udi Udi Jaye, is released
February 17th, 2017 – The Ajna Ensemble releases its first independent dance video project, to its signature piece, “O Re Piya”
December 16th & 17th, 2016 – The Ajna students present two successful Fall recitals at the Faison Firehouse Theater and PS 20 auditorium
November 14th-16th, 2016 – Ajna instructors, Alisha Desai and Shachi Phene, teach the young students of the International Preschools about Diwali and share Indian dance and culture with them
November 1st, 2016 – Ajna Ensemble performs a lecture-demonstration on Indian dance in all its forms at Lock Haven University, PA
July 6th, 2016 – Ajna Assistant Director, Shachi Phene, conducts a workshop for the students of the Brooklyn Friends School.
June 21st, 2016 – Ajna instructors Alisha Desai and Shachi Phene share Indian dance and culture with the children and volunteers of New York Cares
June 9th, 2016 – Ajna celebrates reaching 2500 followers on Facebook and 500 followers on Instagram.
June 7th, 2016 – Ajna instructor, Alisha Desai, shares Indian dance and culture with the children and volunteers of New York Cares.
May 24th & 26th, 2016 – Ajna Assistant Director, Shachi Phene, conducts a 2-day workshop for the students of PS 253Q, Far Rockaway, NY.
May 22nd, 2016 – The Ajna students present a successful Spring recital at the Brooklyn Friends School.
May 1st, 2016 – Ajna dancers, Radhika Menawat and Proma Khosla perform for the patrons of the Children’s Museum of the Arts.
May – June, 2016 – Ajna Assistant Director, Shachi Phene, conducts an Indian dance residency for the 5th grade students of PS 208.
April 23rd, 2016 – The Ajna Ensemble performs at the American India Foundation New York Chapter’s Young Professionals Gala in support of the Maternal and New Born Survival Initiative (MANSI).
April 18th, 2016 – Ajna Director, Minila Shah, completes a 4-week Indian dance seminar at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, exploring the spectacular variety of dance forms in India and their histories.
April 6th, 2016 – Ajna returns to Wilton High School, CT to perform and conduct a workshop for the students and faculty, and is featured on the home page of The Hour the next day.
April 5th, 2016 – Ajna Assistant Director, Shachi Phene, presents an educational workshop for the students at SUNY New Paltz in collaboration with Lotus Music and Dance.
April 1st, 2016 – Ajna instructor, Alisha Desai, completes a 10-week Indian dance residency with five 3rd grade classes at PS 87.
March 17th, 2016 – Ajna performs and conducts a workshop for the students and faculty of IS 392.
March 3rd, 2016 – Ajna instructors Shachi Phene and Alisha Desai performs and leads a workshop for the students and faculty of Keene State College, NH, as part of their “Flavors of India” celebration.
March 3rd, 2016 – Ajna instructor Alisha Desai teaches the Bhangra lesson at DJ Rekha’s Basement Bhangra featuring Jai Matt and Dr. Srimix at Meridian 23.
February 24th, 2016, 8PM – Ajna performs for and showcases Indian dance and culture as a part of Dixon Place’s 8 in Show.
February 5th, 2016, 7PM – Ajna joins the dance party at Brooklyn’s House of YES for the Big Party for Bernie.
Week of February 1st, 2016 – Ajna shares Indian dance, movement and culture with the students of IS 77 Middle School in Ridgewood, NY.
January 30th, 2016, 6:30PM – Ajna Dance Company is honored to announce our upcoming performance at the Avon Theatre Red Carpet Bollywood Gala.
January 29th, 2016 – Ajna hosts workshops for the 1st – 5th grade students of PS 253Q in Far Rockaway to teach them various styles of Indian Dance.
December 13th, 2015, 5PM, Pace University – SAVE THE DATE for our first ever Ajna Holiday Showcase, Recital & Celebration! Our students will be performing as will our professional dance company along with other talented artists. Contact info@ajnadance.com to get involved and for more information.
December 3rd, 2015, 4PM – An Ajna instructor will be leading the free Bhangra lesson at Basement Bhangra with DJ Rekha.
November 10th, 13th, 17th, & 20th, 2015 – Minila (Director of Ajna) will be a guest lecturer at Hunter College teaching the students about dances from India including Classical Indian dance (Bharatnatyam & Kathak), Folk dance (Garba & Bhangra) and Bollywood dance.
November 5th, 2015, 4PM – An Ajna instructor will be leading the free Bhangra lesson at Basement Bhangra with DJ Rekha.
October 7th, 2015, 4PM – Ajna will be sharing Indian dance and culture with the students of Ramapo College.
October 10th, 2015, 4PM – Ajna will be performing and showcasing Indian dance and culture as a part of Family Day at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
September 30th, 2015, 8:30PM – Ajna is proud and honored to be performing at the 5th Anniversary celebration for Girl Up. As the United Nations Foundation’s adolescent girl campaign, Girl Up engages girls to take action. Led by a community of nearly half a million passionate advocates raising awareness and funds, our efforts help the hardest to reach girls living in places where it is hardest to be a girl.
September 29th, 2015, 4PM – Ajna will be performing for and teaching the students of Hudson Community College about dance from India.
September 26th, 2015, 12PM – Watch Ajna perform at Family Day at Diversity Plaza in Jackson, Heights, Queens. Enjoy dance, culture and diversity at this free, family event! Diversity Plaza is located on 37th Road between 74th St and 73rd St.
September 25th, 2015, 8AM – Look out for Ajna on Good Morning America on ABC. Our dancers will be dancing live on National TV with actress Priyanka Chopra who is celebrating her new show and American television debut with Quantico.
August 18th & 19th – Ajna is going international! Our very own founder, Minila, will be teaching two classes in Paris, France. Help us spread the word, and if you’re based anywhere near, come join us! We’d appreciate any support.
August 15th, 2015, 2PM-2:30PM – Come learn some Bhangra and Bollywood dance moves at and hosted by the Brooklyn Children’s Museum.
August 8th & 9th – Get your tickets and passes for the first ever South Asian International Performing Arts Festival featuring wonderful art and artists. We will be performing both days alongside a lot of other talent. In other words, its an event you definitely do not want to miss!
July 19th, 2015, 1pm-4pm – Ajna Dance is excited and honored to perform once again at The Rubin Museum block party. Come enjoy a free, family friendly event with art and culture.
July 18th, 2015, 2PM – Our adult students will be performing at the Lotus Annual Showcase amongst many other special performances from other dance students. Let’s all enjoy an evening of many dance styles.
July 15th, 2015 – We are thrilled to be performing for and teaching kids at Steve and Kate’s Camp in New York City during the “Spontaneous Show”.
July 9th, 2015 – We will be leading free Bhangra dance lessons in Van Cortlandt Park in the Bronx. Come dance barefoot with us, it will be well worth it, we promise!
July 2nd, 2015 – Ajna dancers will be rejoining DJ Rekha for Basement Bhangra once again. The Bhangra lessons start at 9:30PM, so make sure to buy your ticket and come dance with us!
June 8th & 11th, 2015 – New York Cares will be bringing together public school students and employees of large NYC-based companies for a dance workshop led by Ajna dancers.
June 5th, 2015 – Ajna will be performing as part of an international celebration of cultures at the World Class Learning Academy in downtown Manhattan.
May 31st, 2015 – In honor of Asian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are performing a series of dances at historical Ellis Island.
May 21st, 2015 – NBC Studios at Rockefeller Center hosted a 24-hour charity Danceathon in celebration of Red Nose Day. Ajna dancers will be performing and dancing with host Nick Cannon, so make sure to tune in and support!
May 16th, 2015 – Once again, Ajna Dance Company and DJ Rekha will join together to lead the NYC Dance Parade dancing down Broadway from the Flatiron District to the East Village. Dance Parade is celebrated annually by groups from all different experience levels and backgrounds. Come enjoy a festive day of celebrating what we all love to do: dance!
May 7th, 2015 – We will be joining DJ Rekha for Basement Bhangra at Le Poisson Rouge, teaching a Bhangra Dance Lesson at 9PM. Tickets are only $10 in advance ($15 at the door), so come out and dance with us!
April 10th, 2015 – Ajna Dance will be sharing Indian dance, movement and culture with the students of Thomas Hughes High Elementary School in Berkeley Heights, NJ.
April 8th, 2015 – Ajna Dance has been invited to perform for and teach the students at Wilton High School as a part of their World Languages Week.
April 4th, 2015 – Celebrating Basement Bhangra’s 18th birthday with DJ Rekha and an extra special Bhangra lesson from Ajna Dance.
March 26th, 2015 – Art Off the Wall: Chitra Ganesh: Eyes of Time at the Brooklyn Museum – Minila will be leading a Bhangra workshop at 7:15pm after the Artist and Curator talk. Stick around after the lesson for a dance party with DJ Rekha.
February 21st, 2015 – We will be performing at the Allen-Stevenson School at an international festival where students and their families will get a chance to explore different cultures, traditions, activities, entertainment and food from all over the world.
February 14th, 2015 – Hosted by Varsha Joshi, Ajna will be partaking in the Valentine’s Day Grand Bollywood Gala.
February 6th, 2015 – Ajna Dance Company is honored to announce our upcoming performance at the SPICE Annual Indian Gala Event, hosted by the United Nations’s Society for the Promotion of Indian Culture and Experience (SPICE- Indian Gala) to celebrate Diwali, Eid, and Christmas.
December 12th, 2014 – We can’t wait to celebrate the holidays with The Salvation Army ‘s annual Christmas party, bringing a Bollywood spin to the season!
December 9th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company will be holding a Bollywood Demo Lesson in partnership with the Hearst Corporation.
December 4th, 2014 – Come out and join us at Basement Bhangra! Our very own Minila Shah (Ajna Dance Director) will be doing a Bhangra workshop during this fun event along side DJ Rheka and DJ Petra. It will be a fun night of dance, drinks and Holiday celebration! Bring your friends
December 3rd, 2014 – Thank you for coming out to our performance at Suffolk Community College! We will performed and hosted a workshop to teach students how to dance in various styles of Indian Dance!
December 2nd, 2014 – We were happy to bring Indian culture through dance to Iona College! We will engaged students in the basics of a few different styles of Indian dance and taught them about the history and traditions behind Indian dance.
November 10th, 2014 – We were happy to perform at Hommocks Middle School (Larchmont, NY)! We taught the students about the culture of India and the history of the dances.
October 28th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company is taught a Classical Dance Masters Class at Hunter College. We were excited to lead the Hunter College students through the intricacies of Classical Indian Dance, teaching them not only new dance skills, but about Indian culture as well.
October 21st, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company had a Corporate Bollywood Cardio Class
October 18th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company performed at “Tastes, Turns, and Twirls a WEP Diwali Celebration.” We are honored to have been a part of this incredible event! Every ticket bought will ensured that a Women’s Education Project student, a young woman from a poor family in India will graduate from college and begin a career. Thanks for coming out to an evening of food, fashion, and festivities to support the Women’s Education Project!
October 16th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company is performed a Diwali performance for Neuberger Berman, including interactive workshops!
October 3rd, 2014 – We were excited to perform and teach at Deerfield Elementary School (Short Hills, NJ)! We taught the students about the culture of India and the history of the dances.
September 26th, 2014 – We were excited and honored to perform at the 2nd Annual Parekh Family Foundation Gala “Help India Walk”. This was a black tie fundraising event that will take place in Edison, NJ. Thank you to those who joined us for this glamorous night filled with food, fashion, music, entertainment and above all, support a good cause! For more info please visit: www.parekhfamilyfoundation.org
September 25th, 2014 – In celebration of the South-East Asian festival of Navartari, Minila Shah taught a Dandiya folk dance at the Art Fast! Dandiya is a folk dance of Gujarat, India where men and women move in circles and dance with sticks. What was unique about this workshop is learning to dance with sticks and more interestingly Minila bringing in a contemporary touch to this traditional dance form. People came dressed in an India inspired attire. This workshop was free for the Art Fast participants. Entrance of $5 for outsiders. RSVP by Sep, 23 to artfast2014@gmail.com
September 11th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company performed and taught a class at Westchester Community College.
September 10th, 2014 – We were pleased to share Indian dance and culture with the residents of Brookdale Senior Living.
September 6th, 2014 – Minila Shah will taught a Bollywood dance class at Hunter College.
August 17th, 2014 – Ajna Dance was showcased on the Cbazaar float for the India Day Parade in NYC!
August 16th, 2014 – A workshop led by Minila at Chhaya Community Development Corporation‘s 3rd Annual Chapati Mela in Jackson Heights. In the evening, Ajna Dance Company taught Bhangra at a free family event with DJ Rekha at the Battery Park City Esplanade.
August 15-16th, 2014 – Minila Shah performed with the Lotus Music Dance and the Faison Firehouse Theater for Harlem Dance Caravan as a part of SummerStage NYC at Marcus Garvey Theater – Summerstage.
August 14th, 2014 – Ajna Dance held an afterwork Bollywood fitness class at the Morgan Stanley office gym on Broadway
August 8th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company performed at Sapient Global Markets.
August 7-8th, 2014 – @Minila Shah guest taught at Jiva Performing Arts children’s summer camp
August 7th, 2014 – Ajna dance held an afterwork Bollywood fitness class at the Morgan Stanley office gym on Broadway followed by a Bhangra lesson at Basement Bhangra with DJ Rekha.
July 27th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company performed at the International Youth Fellowship USA Culture Exhibition at Union Square Park North Pavilion.
July 20th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company was the closing performance at the Rubin Museum of Art Block Party.
July 3rd, 2014 – First Thursday of every month Basement Bhangra with DJ Rekha at (le) poisson rouge with a Bhangra lesson by us!
June 30th, 2014 – Minila Shah will be taught a lunchtime Bollywood class for 8 weeks at Goldman Sachs Jersey City. Let’s dance!
June 14-15th, 2014 – Ajna Kathak Kids performed their first recital
May 24th, 2014 – We performed at Macy’s with Miss America, Nina Davuluri, in celebration of Asian American Heritage month!
May 3rd, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company performed at Holi NYC.
April 24th, 2014 – For take your kids to work day we performed at NASDAQ OMX
April 7th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company taught a class at Ethical Culture Fieldston School
Friday March 28th, 2014 – We taught the lovely folks at the Andaz Hotel on 5th Avenue some Bollywood and Bhangra moves.
Thursday March 27th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company taught at Morgan Stanley’s New York office at 1585 Broadway teaching a Bollywood cardio class.
Thursday March 20th, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company coordinated and choreographed a spectacular flashmob in Times Square in partnership with the Indo American Arts Council and the New York Indian Film Festival of which Ajna is a sponsor. You can watch the flashmob here and it was also covered on Bollyspice and TV Asia.
Sunday February 2nd, 2014 – Ajna Dance Company begins it’s first children’s Kathak class on the Upper West Side.
Monday February 3rd, 2014 – The Ajna Dance Ensemble was invited as part of Elmira College’s performing Art Series to deliver a full length presentation and performance on Indian Dance for 300-400 students and community members. The performance included a presentation on the history of dance in India, demonstrations of different styles of Indian dance,as well as 3 pieces that highlight the diversity of dances from India.
Tuesday December 17th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble will be performed a never seen before classical dance piece at the Women’s Education Project holiday celebration at the Driscoll Babcock Gallery in Chelsea. The evening featured extraordinary women entrepreneurs to celebrate WEP’s 11th year of helping women pursue higher education and careers. WEP helps young women succeed in higher education and careers. Through partnerships with established grassroots NGOs whose programs end at the 10th grade, WEP’s resource centers provide students academic, financial and social support to ensure their high school and college graduation and employment.
Friday November 15th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance at Horace Mann School The Bronx for their annual Diwali celebration
Tuesday November 12th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance at Standard & Poor’s (S&P) New York Corporate Office
Friday November 8th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance at Talbot’s New York Corporate Office
Thursday November 7th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance at Google’s New York Office in Chelsea followed by an interactive Bhangra workshop led by Ajna Dance for Google team members
Tuesday November 5th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance for Wells Fargo, Time Warner, Thomson Reuters, NBC Universal, AllianceBernstein, KPMG, Ogilvy & Mather, and J.P. Morgan who jointly a hosted a corporate Diwali Celebration at Taj Lounge
Tuesday November 5th, 2013 – Ajna Dance Ensemble performance at Barclays New York Corporate Office
Saturday September 28th, 2013 – Ajna Performance at the FAB (Fourth Arts Block) Festival – The 10th Annual FAB! Festival, a one-day-only arts explosion featuring free performances, exhibits, and activities. One of the amazing acts, being Ajna Dance!
Sunday August 11th, 2013, Battery Park – Film shoot for the Class of Nuke Em High, produced by Troma Entertainment and directed by Lloyd Kaufman, director of the 80’s hit The Toxic Avenger. Choreography for cast and performance by Ajna Dance company dance artists.
Wednesday August 7th, 2013, Oxford Town Hall (Oxford, UK) – Corporate event and performance
Monday August 5th, 2013 (London) – Madhuri Master Class with Minila as part of Ajna’s Summer 2013 Europe Workshops – Using her unique and signature choreography to Madhuri’s hit song, Ghagra, Minila took the evening to teach students how to be inspired by a living Bollywood legend!
Saturday August 3rd, 2013 (Paris) – Bhangra/Bollywood Workshop with Minila as part of Ajna’s Summer 2013 Europe Workshops – Minila Shah taught Bhangra and Bollywood technique and choreography in Paris! She taught authentic Indian dance and built rhythm, stamina and grace, improving her students’ dancing skills. All while having fun!
Thursday May 23rd, 2013 – Performance at the United Nations for the first ever International Day to End Obstetric Fistul – Ajna worked closely with J Marshall Events to put together a stunning performance to commemorate the first International Day to End Obsteric Fistula as designated by the UN General Assembly. Ajna was honoured to be a part of the event along with several others including Natalie Imbruglia.
Saturday May 4th, 2013 – Performance at the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Festival
Sunday March 31st, 2013 (12pm-6pm) – Ajna’s Performance at Holi Hai NYC – Ajna performed at NYC Bhangra’s 4th Annual Holi Hai Festival. In 2012, Holi Hai brought together over 80 performers and a multi ethnic audience of over 6,000 people of all age groups who gathered at the Dag Hammarksjold Park from all over the tri-state area. They had an array of dance and music performers, food and drinks, henna, handicrafts and a plaza full of people singing and dancing.For more information about the Festival, click here