Ajna Dance

Specialties

Ajna offers classes for dancers of all levels with our professionally trained instructors and choreographers. We offer classes in Bollywood, Bhangra, classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam and Kathak), Gujarati folk dance, cardio dance, and yoga-​movement. Our weekly classes teach technique, conditioning, expression and choreography. Ajna offers Bollywood, folk and classical children’s classes as well. Our experienced instructors also provide private classes for technique and choreography, educational programs in schools, and workshops about Indian dance.

The Ajna performance ensemble has had the honor of performing at various high profile events for clients such as the United Nations, Macy’s, Barclays, Wells Fargo, S&P, Google, Nasdaq, MoMA Film and The Rubin Museum. We offer educational programing at public and private schools and colleges catering to young people of all age groups. Ajna works with a number of nonprofits including the Women’s Education Project, offering classes and performances at their events. Ajna partnered with the New York Indian Film Festival in 2014 and choreographed flash mobs (covered on BollySpice and TV Asia), promoting the festival at Union Square and Times Square.

Ajna offers professional choreography for film, theatre, television and media. We have experience working in film, reality TV, live theatre productions and social media ad campaigns.

History

Established in 2010.

Ajna Dance Company was created to share artistic and authentic Indian dance with a global and diverse audience. We specialize in both contemporary and classical Indian dance forms. Ajna Dance Co. was founded by the dance artist and distinguished choreographer, Minila Shah. The experience she gained traveling the world to further her art coupled with her experience working as the Artistic Director of Bollywood Grooves Dance Company in London, UK has made Minilla an expert in many different forms of Indian dance including contemporary bollywood, classical, and folk. Minila is passionate about sharing Indian dance and culture through classes and performances by making them easily available and accessible to everyone. Our team is trained in a diverse range of dance styles and we pride ourselves in offering high quality instruction and performances.

Meet the Business Owner

Minila S.

Business Owner

Dancing since the age of 6, Minila has trained in the classical Indian dance forms of Bharatanatyam and Kathak in Toronto and India. Minila is passionate about dance and finds joy and freedom in expressing herself creatively through music and movement. She has twice travelled to India to further her training in classical dance.

Minila has used her strong base of classical dance experience to explore, choreograph, perform and teach a variety of dance styles including Bollywood and Bhangra.

Minila Shah was the Executive Director of Bollywood Grooves in London, UK. She was the lead instructor, taught weekly classes and courses, choreographed and managed the BG dance troupe.

Minila was responsible for the stylish routine, set to the composer A. R. Rahman’s Slumdog hit Jai Ho, which helped Hayley Tamaddon to win the Dancing on Ice crown last year in the UK. She has also worked with the BBC providing them with performances and choreography.