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ajnadance

Based in NYC, rooted in South Asia
We bring joy through movement & culture
Arts Education, Performance & Workshops

We are truly grateful to all of our school and com We are truly grateful to all of our school and community partners for allowing Ajna the space to share dance and cultural programming with your students and community members. We’re always grateful to hear directly from the schools and students we work with. Their words remind us why we do what we do and the impact that it has. 

🔗 Check out the link in bio to learn more and bring dance to your school today.

#Ajna #AjnaDance #representationmatters
Audition Reminder! Ajna Dance Company is seeking Audition Reminder!

Ajna Dance Company is seeking talented dancers and teaching artists to join our growing roster for performances and arts education programs throughout the New York City area.

If you or someone you know is a passionate performer or educator who loves inspiring audiences of all ages, we'd love to hear from you. Please help us spread the word!

Audition Information
Date: Wednesday, August 5th
Time: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Location: Gibney Studios (exact studio provided upon confirmation)

What to Prepare:
✨A 1–2 minute dance solo showcasing your strengths
✨A 5-minute teaching demonstration
✨Be prepared to learn choreography during the audition

Next Steps
✨Submit your audition application (see link in bio) by July 31.
✨Selected applicants will receive additional audition details after their application has been reviewed.

#Ajna #AjnaDance #auditions
We had the pleasure of partnering with National Da We had the pleasure of partnering with National Dance Institute (NDI) @nationaldanceinstitute for their Summer Institute, leading an interactive journey through Classical, Folk, and Bollywood dance.

Led by Ajna founder Minila Shah @minila7, the workshop introduced participants to the rich diversity of Indian dance while encouraging them to draw connections to their own cultural traditions and experiences.

A heartfelt thank you to all of the students for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to jump in and dance!

Beyond learning new movements, what stood out most were the meaningful conversations and the shared connections built through dance, culture, and community. ✨

#Ajna #AjnaDance
✨ Artist Spotlight: Meet Meha Sadana (@mehasadana) ✨ Artist Spotlight: Meet Meha Sadana (@mehasadana)! ✨

Every Ajna performance is brought to life by incredible artists, and today we're shining the spotlight on Meha! 💛

Here are a few fun facts about Meha:
✨Dance journey: What started as a hobby became a form of movement therapy, helping me heal my relationship with my body. 
✨Dance styles: Bharatnatyam, Bhangra, Bollywood, Garba, plus Modern, Jazz, and Ballet.
✨Favorite Ajna performance: Dancing on the WNBA court!
✨Hidden talent: I can play the piano!
✨Favorite Bollywood movie: Devdas

Why is sharing South Asian culture through dance important to you:
"I love that our programs encourage children to embrace their culture and move to vibrant music unapologetically.""

From classrooms to professional sports arenas, Meha brings passion, culture, and joy wherever she dances. We're so lucky to have Meha on the Ajna team. 💛

Show Meha some love in the comments! 💛

#Ajna #AjnaDanceCompany #ArtistSpotlight  #MeetTheArtist
☀️ Week one of our Summer Rising programs is offic ☀️ Week one of our Summer Rising programs is officially complete!

What a fantastic start to the summer—filled with movement, creativity, music, and so many smiling faces. We're grateful to all of the students, teachers, and school communities who made this first week so much fun.

Here's to more weeks of dancing, learning, and celebrating together! 💃✨

#Ajna #AjnaDance
Auditions Are Open! Do you love performing, teach Auditions Are Open!

Do you love performing, teaching, and sharing South Asian dance?
Ajna Dance Company is looking for talented dancers and teaching artists to join our team for the upcoming season.

We're hiring artists with experience in:
✨ Bollywood
 ✨ Bhangra
 ✨ Bharatanatyam
 ✨ Kathak
 ✨ Garba & Folk Dance
 ✨ Other South Asian dance styles

Audition Details:
 📅 Wednesday, August 5
 🕕 6:00–8:00 PM
 📍 Gibney Dance Center, NYC

To apply, complete the Application (see link in bio) by July 31.

Come inspire students, perform throughout NYC, and become part of Ajna's artist community.

#Ajna #AjnaDance #auditions
Planning an event? Let Ajna bring the energy! ✨ F Planning an event? Let Ajna bring the energy! ✨

From weddings and galas to private parties and community celebrations, our talented artists create unforgettable experiences through vibrant dance and interactive entertainment.

Inspired by the magic of Bollywood and rooted in South Asian folk and classical traditions, our performances are designed to captivate, connect, and get everyone celebrating.

Ready to make your next event unforgettable? Contact us through the link in our bio! 💃

#Ajna #AjnaDance
Happy 4th of July from Ajna! 🇺🇸 We hope everyone Happy 4th of July from Ajna! 🇺🇸

We hope everyone has a wonderful day celebrating with friends and family. ✨

As we celebrate, we're looking back on a special moment from last year when we had the honor of performing at New York City Hall and sharing the beauty of South Asian dance and culture with our community.

Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

#AjnaDance #Ajna #FourthOfJuly
Current forecast: ☀️ Hot with a 100% chance of Bol Current forecast: ☀️ Hot with a 100% chance of Bollywood beats. 💃🔥

We hope our Ajna community is staying cool, staying hydrated, and finding plenty of shade as NYC turns up the heat this weekend. Wishing everyone a fun, safe, and sunshine-filled weekend! 💛

📸: @brakethrough_media @meatpackingny 

#Ajna #AjnaDance
☀️ Happy Last Day of School to all of our incredib ☀️ Happy Last Day of School to all of our incredible school partners! Wishing you all a restful and happy summer, see you in the Fall!

Check out the link in bio to learn more and bring dance to your school today.

#AjnaDance #Ajna
At Ajna, we believe in the power of the arts to fo At Ajna, we believe in the power of the arts to foster connection, empathy, and belonging.

This Pride Month and every month, we celebrate the many identities and experiences that make our communities vibrant and strong.

Here’s to creating spaces where everyone feels welcome. 🌈

#Ajna #AjnaDanceCompany ❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
New York energy, Knicks colors, Bollywood vibes. 🧡 New York energy, Knicks colors, Bollywood vibes. 🧡💙✨

Who's going to the parade on Thursday?!

#Ajna #AjnaDance #NewYork #Knicks
What an incredible two weekends at Meatpacking Sum What an incredible two weekends at Meatpacking Summer Goals! ☀️💃

From Bollywood performances, live dhol, and family-friendly art activities to high-energy Bollywood and Bhangra fitness classes, it was a joy to share dance, culture, and community with so many New Yorkers.

Thanks to everyone who stopped by, danced with us, and made these events unforgettable. We loved bringing South Asian arts, culture, and wellness to the Meatpacking District and can't wait for what's next! ❤️

📸: @brakethrough_media @meatpackingny 

#AjnaDanceCompany #SummerGoals #Bollywood #Bhangra #MeatpackingDistrict #NYCEvents
Always special dancing at Symphony Space. @symphon Always special dancing at Symphony Space. @symphonyspace 

We love being part of their Global Arts program and sharing Bharatanatyam with young audiences through live performance, storytelling, and movement. Shout out to our teaching artists @ankitakhanna8 Ankita and @meenacat Mei for bringing such beauty and energy to the stage. Grateful for partners like Symphony Space that continue to create meaningful space for global arts programming in NYC.
Partner highlight ✨ Our 3rd year performing at th Partner highlight ✨

Our 3rd year performing at the AAPI Night Market at @BarclaysCenter. Barclays Center has been a meaningful partner to Ajna over the years — welcoming us for AAPI Heritage Month performances, New York Liberty halftime entertainment, CUNY graduations, and now multiple years of AAPI Night Market celebrations.

As a NYC-based company with our founder @minila7 and many of our artists based in Brooklyn, it’s always especially meaningful to perform in such an iconic Brooklyn space while celebrating alongside so many amazing AAPI vendors, artists, and community organizations.

Thanks to the Barclays Center team for having us back again this year.
Free events are coming up this month with Ajna. J Free events are coming up this month with Ajna.

Join us across NYC for dance, culture, art, and community as we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and summer!
📍 May 20 — AAPI Night Market at Barclays Center
📍 May 21 — AAPI Workshop at Brooklyn Children’s Museum
📍 May 30 — Performance & Art at Meatpacking Summer Goals

All events are free and open to the community — come dance with us, create with us, and celebrate South Asian dance and culture.

Link in bio for more info.

#AjnaDanceCompany #AAPIHeritageMonth
AAPI Heritage Month is in full swing. This week w AAPI Heritage Month is in full swing.

This week we’ve been in schools across NYC sharing Indian classical, folk, and Bollywood dance through performances, storytelling, and interactive movement.

A few moments from this week’s assemblies ✨ @poughkeepsiecityschooldistrict @ps20annasilverles @briarwoodschool117 

#AAPIMonth #AjnaDanceCompany #ArtsEducation
Special Mother's Day shout out to the incredible d Special Mother's Day shout out to the incredible dancers in our community who are mamas themselves. 💛

Thank you for showing us what strength, balance, dedication, and unconditional love truly look like. Between rehearsals, performances, work, and caring for your families, you continue to show up with passion, grace, and resilience every single day.

Your children are growing up watching powerful women pursue their artistry, culture, and dreams.

We are endlessly inspired by all that you do, both on and off the stage. Happy Mother’s Day to all of our amazing dance mamas. ✨

#Ajna #AjnaDance #MothersDay
In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to take a mome In honor of Mother’s Day, we wanted to take a moment to recognize the incredible women in our lives who have supported us throughout our dance journeys.

Behind every performance, rehearsal, and achievement are the women who encouraged us, inspired us, sacrificed for us, and believed in us every step of the way. From mothers and grandmothers to aunties, sisters, teachers, and mentors, your love and support have shaped not only the artists we are today, but the people we continue to become.

Thank you to these special women for your endless strength, guidance, and encouragement. We celebrate you today and every day. 💛

#Ajna #AjnaDance #MothersDay
Grateful to be part of a night that celebrates the Grateful to be part of a night that celebrates the incredible work @aafederation does to support and uplift Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. From advancing education and mental health initiatives to funding programs that combat hate and expand opportunity, their impact continues to create meaningful change across the country.

It’s always inspiring to share our art in spaces rooted in purpose, representation, and progress.
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