Ajna Dance

Ajna Dance Company is New York's premier South Asian performing arts organization specializing in artistic and authentic arts education, performances, and classes. Founded in 2013 by Minila Shah, our mission is to make Indian dance and culture more accessible to people and students of all backgrounds.

Our Story

Started in 2013, Ajna Dance Company has grown to become a leading South Asian performing arts organization in New York City. Our founder, Minila Shah, had a vision to make Indian dance and culture more relatable, joyful, and fun for people of all backgrounds. Over the years, we have partnered with over 350 schools, sharing our programs with students from Pre-K through high school. Our partners include Lincoln Center, The United Nations, The Rubin Museum, The Brooklyn Museum, The Brooklyn Children's Museum, Hudson Yards, and we have been featured on NBC, ABC's Good Morning America, Viceland, and The Food Network.

Our Services

At Ajna Dance Company, we offer a range of services that cater to various needs and age groups. Our services include:

• Arts Education: We provide arts education programs for schools, which include Indian dance assemblies, residencies, and after-school programs. Our team of teaching artists are professionally trained, and we tailor our lesson plans and choreography to the grade level of the students.
• Performance: Our performance company's signature style blends the grace and technique of classical dance with the freedom and fun of Bollywood music and dance. We have performed at various high-profile events, including The Brooklyn Museum, The United Nations General Assembly, and The Rubin Museum.
• Classes: We offer dance classes for kids and adults in NYC and online. Our classes are designed to be fun, engaging, and educational, taught by our team of experienced instructors.
• Parties: We provide customized party packages for kids and adults, which include Bollywood dance performances, workshops, and more.

Why Choose Ajna?

Our customers love us! Here's what they have to say:

"My daughter did 2 semesters with Ajna, and her dancing blossomed. Before she started with Ajna, she wasn't precise and deliberate about her moves, as confident, and creative. This has all changed." - Kajal P.

"I've taken classes with Ajna for a few years. My dancing has improved, and the classes are fun yet challenging. Highly recommend it!" - Carrie H.

"I worked with Ajna on dance choreography for my wedding. Veena was amazingly sweet and patient and did a great job getting my fiance, brother, and his girlfriend ready for an amazing performance." - Devika A.

Meet Our Founder

Minila Shah is an established choreographer, dancer, dance educator, and Founder and Director of Ajna Dance Company. With over 15 years of experience across 3 continents, Minila has taught masterclasses, performed, and worked as a choreographer in the United Kingdom, India, Canada, France, and the US. Her signature style of seamlessly blending classical and folk dance with Bollywood music and movement is what makes Minila and her choreography stand out.