Rita Dance Academy - The center of Excellence for Kathak

Rita Sharma Artistic Director
Occasionally an artiste appears who introduces a new force into the evolution in the form of art. Rita Sharma is such an artiste. She is an extremely talented Instructor, Choreographer and a Performer. Rita is recognized for creating Kathak dance technique on the edge. Her revolutionary spirit has allowed her to evolve within her art form without compromising its integrity and depth. A follower of Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, Rita Sharma was trained by her guru Pundit Rajendra Gangani and Guru Shashi Sankhla. Rita Sharma was schooled in Kathak Kendras of Delhi and Jaipur, embodying each in her artistry: the graceful and sensual elements of the Delhi school combined with the dynamic and powerful rhythms of the Jaipur school. Her career in Kathak was launched in India, in 1987, when she established her dance school "Pushpanjali" in Jaipur and later in Mumbai. She had stage performed at several places in India like Jaipur, Jesalmer and Mt Abu in Rajasthan, Kulu Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Shanmukhananda auditorium in Mumbai, Swami Haridas Sangeet Samaroh at Vrindavan and at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi. In her academic career, Rita has been awarded the Gold Medal from Banasthali Vishwavidyala for her Master's degree. Later, she was awarded Ph.D. from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. Rita is Visharad in Kathak from Bhatkhande Vishwavidyalaya. In USA, Rita's pioneering contribution to the Kathak Dance started in 2003, when she established Rita Dance Academy in New Jersey. Since then Rita Sharma has been establishing milestones for herself and for her Academy. Since 2012, Rita Dance Academy has been organizing its flagship annual concert "Kathak Mahotsav", dedicated to Jaipur Gharana of Kathak.

Rita Sharma Artistic Director

Occasionally an artiste appears who introduces a new force into the evolution in the form of art. Rita Sharma is such an artiste. She is an extremely talented Instructor, Choreographer and a Performer. Rita is recognized for creating Kathak dance technique on the edge. Her revolutionary spirit has allowed her to evolve within her art form without compromising its integrity and depth.

A follower of Jaipur Gharana of Kathak, Rita Sharma was trained by her guru Pundit Rajendra Gangani and Guru Shashi Sankhla. Rita Sharma was schooled in Kathak Kendras of Delhi and Jaipur, embodying each in her artistry: the graceful and sensual elements of the Delhi school combined with the dynamic and powerful rhythms of the Jaipur school. Her career in Kathak was launched in India, in 1987, when she established her dance school "Pushpanjali" in Jaipur and later in Mumbai. She had stage performed at several places in India like Jaipur, Jesalmer and Mt Abu in Rajasthan, Kulu Manali in Himachal Pradesh, Shanmukhananda auditorium in Mumbai, Swami Haridas Sangeet Samaroh at Vrindavan and at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi.

In her academic career, Rita has been awarded the Gold Medal from Banasthali Vishwavidyala for her Master's degree. Later, she was awarded Ph.D. from Rajasthan University, Jaipur. Rita is Visharad in Kathak from Bhatkhande Vishwavidyalaya.

In USA, Rita's pioneering contribution to the Kathak Dance started in 2003, when she established Rita Dance Academy in New Jersey. Since then Rita Sharma has been establishing milestones for herself and for her Academy.

Since 2012, Rita Dance Academy has been organizing its flagship annual concert "Kathak Mahotsav", dedicated to Jaipur Gharana of Kathak.

Sanchita Sharma Artistic Co-Director
With every new generation comes a fresh talent. Such is the case with Sanchita Sharma, now a student at Drexel University, studying Physical Therapy, and also continuing her pathway to Kathak. She brings an innovation to the table with her hint of fusion in presentation of dance. Sanchita has been trained in Kathak by her mother and guru Mrs Rita Sharma and also by guru Shri Rajendra Gangani. Through many years of training and performing since the age of 3 years, she has stepped into the world of choreography under the guidance of her guru, Rita Sharma. Sanchita has choreographed numerous dance items and performed at locations such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Delaware, Virginia and many more. With the rarity of Kathak in the tri-state area, Sanchita has introduced the art of Kathak dance to many of her peers in academic institutions to demonstrate how unique Kathak truly is. As a dance minor at Drexel University, she has choreographed several performances at her college for which she has received a high recognition. Apart from Kathak, she has been trained in many other dance forms such as Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Traditional West African Dancing, and numerous other forms which create a very pioneering blend with Kathak. Sanchita is a highly popular performer and choreographer among the students at Rita Dance Academy.

Sanchita Sharma Artistic Co-Director

With every new generation comes a fresh talent. Such is the case with Sanchita Sharma, now a student at Drexel University, studying Physical Therapy, and also continuing her pathway to Kathak. She brings an innovation to the table with her hint of fusion in presentation of dance.

Sanchita has been trained in Kathak by her mother and guru Mrs Rita Sharma and also by guru Shri Rajendra Gangani. Through many years of training and performing since the age of 3 years, she has stepped into the world of choreography under the guidance of her guru, Rita Sharma. Sanchita has choreographed numerous dance items and performed at locations such as New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington D.C., Delaware, Virginia and many more.

With the rarity of Kathak in the tri-state area, Sanchita has introduced the art of Kathak dance to many of her peers in academic institutions to demonstrate how unique Kathak truly is. As a dance minor at Drexel University, she has choreographed several performances at her college for which she has received a high recognition. Apart from Kathak, she has been trained in many other dance forms such as Hip Hop, Ballet, Jazz, Traditional West African Dancing, and numerous other forms which create a very pioneering blend with Kathak.

Sanchita is a highly popular performer and choreographer among the students at Rita Dance Academy.

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