PATH: Rangashree > Classes > General Info

Dance Class Information

What you need to know about our classes:

What Classes are Available

Rangashree conducts weekly classes at four locations in the Los Angeles area. Bharatanatyam and Indian folk dances are taught at all four locations.

Classes are grouped according to the ability of the students, with sessions for beginners, intermediates, and advanced students. There are no terms or semesters; students may advance to the next level class at any time during the year, based on their ability. Class sizes are kept small, usually limited to eight students. This ensures personal attention from the teacher; the teacher is aware when a student is ready to advance.

The classes typically focus on Bharatanatyam, as it requires a more training and practice than folk dances. A portion of the time is spent on folk dances, so that beginners can learn dances that they can perform relatively soon. Students may choose to learn just folk dances, and join a session that spends a full hour on folk dances. There is only one such session now, but we're condsidering making more available depending on interest.

All classes are taught by Paulomi Pandit.

If you have questions that aren't answered below (or elsewhere in this website), please contact us.

When and Where

Wednesdays

  • 5:00 - 6:00 PM  Beginners
  • 6:00 - 7:00 PM  Intermediate
  • 7:00 - 8:30 PM  Intermediate

Shree Swaminarayan Temple ISSO

Thursdays

  • 4:00 - 5:30 PM  Intermediate
  • 5:30 - 6:30 PM  Beginners
  • 6:30 - 7:30 PM  Intermediate

Shri Lakshmi Narayan Mandir

Fridays

  • 4:00 - 5:00 PM  Beginners

Nithyananda Vedic Temple

Sundays

  •   9:00 - 10:00 AM  Beginners
  • 10:00 - 11:00 AM  Beginners
  • 11:00 - 12:00   N  Intermediate
  • 12:00 - 1:00   PM  Folk Dance
  •   1:00 - 2:30   PM  Advanced

Home Studio

Classes at other times and locations may be arranged on an individual basis. Private training sessions are always conducted at the Home Studio location. A new location where there are enough students (typically at least fifteen) may be suitable for starting a new weekly session.

If our times or locations don't suit you, we've listed some other dance schools and teachers whom we like in our Links section.

Who May Join

We accept children, starting at age five, through adults. There isn't an upper age limit. Students should be physically fit, at least enough to keep up with the rest of the class.

Although most of our students are of Indian descent, this is by no means a requirement. Familiarity with Indian culture may make some aspects of the dances, and some of their themes, more familiar, but as long as you're interested and have an open mind, we're happy to have you join. We want to share the enjoyment of India's dance traditions with everyone, and we want to reach outside the Indian community.

How to Join

The first step is to come and see a class. If you're unfamiliar with Bharatanatyam, what you see might not be what you expected. And for children, it helps to know what happens at a class. Sometimes, it's the parents that want to know first hand. To arrange a visit to a class, please contact Paulomi.

This conversation is a good time discuss goals for the dance training. These can range anywhere from just wanting to know about the dance forms, to wanting to perform professionally. It's important for the teacher and student to understand each other's goals.

Meeting in person lets the teacher assess the student's aptitude for dance, sense of rhythm, and feeling for movement. If there's been any prior training, the teacher can also evaluate the student's knowledge of the dance. Then the student can be matched with the most appropriate class.

The final step is to fill out our registration form. We'll provide you the form when you visit, or you can fill it out in advance and bring it with you.

Cost

Fees for group lessons range from $10 to $15 per class, and are paid monthly in advance. They vary according to our costs at different locations, and other factors like the lengths of the classes. Because some of these factors aren't under our control, the fees are subject to change. For the fees for a specific class session, and for private instruction, please phone Paulomi at 1-626-590-5547.

There are usually four or five classes per month. Months with major holidays may have only three classes, and there's usually a three to four week break during December and January.

There are a few other costs for optional activities. Each year students have the opportunity to take part in a few performances. These include folk dance competitions, classical and folk performances for various festivals, and Rangashree's annual students' show. Participation is voluntary. Some events involve travel, the cost of which is each student's responsibility. Depending on the needs for costumes, there may also be costs for renting or dry-cleaning the costumes. These costs usually range from $5 to $20 per constume. Some dance competitions charge significant entry fees, which are usually shared by the participating students.

Previous: Classes  ⇑ Top of Page ⇑  Next: Bharatanatyam