Rita Dance Academy is a premier Center of excellence in Indian Performing Arts emphasizing especially on the Indian traditions. Its mission is to offer an all encompassing training in Kathak and other Hindustani dances including Folk dances. Rita Dance Academy help build Confidence, Attitude, Teamwork and Self-respect (CATS) through Dance. By providing the opportunity to perform on stage, Rita Dance Academy help in creating a sense of pride and achievement in the students.

The Academy emphasizes a thorough study of Kathak dance, along with the associated subjects of music, choreography and stagecraft. The Academy is located at North Brunswick, New Jersey. It also offers the classes in Edison, New Jersey.

Main thrust of this academy is to kindle the energy within each student that will propel them beyond their normal levels of endurance. Over time this process develops stamina and strength – the necessary ingredients to sustain between one to two hours of continuous dancing. Each student learns the following aspects of the dance:

Nritta (pure dance, technique): include movement exercises, basic footwork tatkar; turns chakkars; rhythmic patterns and timing; recitation of the language of the dance bols.

Nritya (dance with rhythm and expression): use of interpretive gestures, expression, and rendering of tradtional songs and poems.

Natya (drama): learning the art of storytelling, the nine sentiments nava rasa, working with masculine and feminine energies (ardhanariswara-shiva/shakti).