“I started dancing when I was 4 years old and never stopped!” says artistic director and choreographer Renu Kumar of R.G.K. Modern Dance Academy (R.G.K.)
Kumar shares her love of Indian dance and culture by offering classes in Bollywood dance. “Bollywood is a fusion,” says Kumar. “It combines all kinds of dance—classical and folk Indian dancing along with western-style dancing. R.G.K. offers classes to people of all ages, from 5 years old up.
“The first part of class is very energetic,” says Kumar. We have Bollywood music, and sometimes we have live music—sitar, drums, vocals.” Every class session also includes yoga and meditation and quiet music.
“My goal is for everybody to feel good,” says Kumar, “through the dancing, and also by uniting the community and building friendships.”
R.G.K holds an annual gala, and this year’s, which will be held on Sept. 30, holds special significance—it’s the school’s 15th anniversary, and the gala will remember Ria Patel, a college student and dancer with R.G.K., who was killed by a drunk driver last year. The proceeds from the gala will benefit the Ria Foundation, established to honor Ria’s life by raising awareness against drunk and distracted driving.
