Everyone please give a warm welcome to Ama, our newest Sunrise Workshop Instructor! She will be teaching a Kuthu Fusion routine to Pavazha Malli on Thursday, October 15th, from 8-10 p.m.

What is Kuthu Fusion? Kuthu Fusion dance style blends the high energy spirits of Kuthu dance, bollywood and hip hop into one dynamic style. It challenges you to combine expressive movements and energetic footwork while letting your unique personality bring the fusion to life.

A little about Ama:

Ama began dancing at age three with Kuchipudi before moving to Houston and training in Sri Lankan Kandyan dance. From a young age, she performed in cultural talent shows, theatre events, and international festivals.

Throughout college, Ama continued expanding her training through Bharatanatyam and Bollywood Fusion, eventually becoming a choreographer for a DDN Bollywood Fusion dance team. She has taught and performed in a variety of styles, including Kuthu, Hip Hop, Bhangra, Bharatanatyam, classical, and contemporary dance.

Since graduating, Ama has continued training in Hip Hop and Jazz Funk at Soundbox Studios and discovered a passion for teaching through her first Kuthu/Bollywood workshop. She loves creating welcoming spaces where dancers can build confidence, challenge themselves, and have fun. As a Sunrise instructor, Ama is excited to share her love of movement while continuing to grow and learn alongside her students.

Don't miss your chance to dance with Ama! Early Bird Tickets are on sale until October 14th!

Houston Class Details:

Date and Time: Thursday, October 15th - 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Location: Houston Divine Studio - Suite I

‍ ‍. 4540 W 34th Street, Houston, TX 77092 ‍ ‍ ‍

Dress Code: Open button down shirts, with comfy pants!

️Class Level: Open Level

Houston! We’re back with Bhangra Fusion with Samy!

Save the date for Saturday, August 22nd, from 1:30-3:30 PM as we learn a fun, high-energy choreo to Dealer by Diljit Dosanjh!

A little about Samy:

Samy Senthil Kumar is a Houston-based choreographer, dancer, and medical student who has been dancing since the age of three. Growing up traveling and performing across the country, she developed a passion for high-energy movement styles rooted in kuthu, Bhangra fusion, hip hop, and Bollywood.

A former collegiate dance team captain, Samy has performed on national stages and most recently at SXSW with KOAD. She has also taught workshops in cities including Dallas and New York City. Currently, she is continuing her training in classical Indian dance while creating classes that are expressive, musical, and community-driven. Her choreography blends dynamic textures, storytelling, and South Asian influences with contemporary performance styles, creating an experience that is both powerful and engaging.

Don't miss your chance to close out the Summer Series with us! We can’t wait to dance with you!

Houston Class Details:

Date and Time: Saturday, August 22 - 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Location: SoundBox Studios (We’ll be in Ballroom E)

3300 Chimney Rock Rd STE 500, Houston, TX 77056 ‍ ‍

Dress Code: Anything comfortable and happy :)

️Class Level: Open Level

Joining us next in our Sunrise Summer Series is Austin-based artist and community builder, Meha Negandhi.

Meha is an incredibly talented artist whose passion for Kathak shines through in everything she does. Beyond her artistry, she has cultivated a vibrant dance community in Austin by creating performance opportunities, organizing student showcases, and fostering spaces where dancers can learn, connect, and grow. Her dedication to the art form and her impact on the community are truly inspiring, and her portfolio speaks for itself. We’ll be learning a beautiful Semi-Classical routine to Aao Na and experience her artistry firsthand.

A little about Meha: Meha Negandhi is a semi-classical dancer and choreographer who has been dancing, teaching and training for more than a decade, she is an avid leaner of different forms and continues to train in Kathak. Her style is influenced by elements of Kathak along with Bollywood and fusion forms, which she brings into both her performance and choreography. She has been a part of and choreographed for various dance teams in Austin.

Previously she was also featured in reality dance shows in India and creatively directed some short form and YouTube videos for dance teams. She is a founder of Naach Roomm, a platform focused on building a dance community centered around training, and shared experiences.

While her dance journey has been shaped by learning from multiple styles and influences, Meha’s approach to teaching is rooted in creating an experience around dance. Her classes focus not only on choreography and technique, but also on fostering connection, expression, and a sense of community through dance.

Houston Class Details:

Date and Time: Thursday, July 9th - 8:00-10:00 p.m.

Location: Houston Divine Studio - Suite I

4540 W 34th St #I, Houston, TX 77092

Dress Code: Flowy Anarkalis or kurtis and bottoms - wear your favorite color :)

️Class Level: Open Level

Song:Aao Na