Viji Prakash has been teaching Bharata Natyam to students in Southern California since 1977. Over the years, she has trained and developed hundreds of students into elegant dancers. As artistic director of the Shakti Dance Company, she has provided them with opportunities to perform on national and international venues. Students are inspired to continue the tradition of this beautiful art form by growing into professional dancers and teachers after performing their Arangetrams (sole dance debut).

GENERAL INFORMATION:

The year is divided into two quarters and one semester

Winter Quarter runs from January to March

Spring Quarter runs from April to June

Fall Semester runs from September to December

Fees are always paid at the beginning of the Quarter/Semester and the amount paid is for the entire session.

Shakti does not prorate fees or apply deductions for missed classes, including medical issues, holidays and vacations. Missed classes can be made up at any Shakti class location within the same Quarter/Semester.

Shakti does not offer sibling discounts.

For information about the prevalent fees, please click here.

Attending class twice a week allows students to progress at a faster rate. Students are expected to attend class regularly.

There is a winter break for Christmas and New Year. Shakti School is closed during July and August for summer.

However, Shakti offers several dance camps during summer. The camps are intensive learning opportunities for students at various levels and are taught by internationally acclaimed dancers from around the world.

CLASS RULES:

1. 1. The minimum age to begin dance lessons is 5-years old (5½ or 6 is optimum).
2. 2. Dance classes are one-hour long and including prayers and warm up.
3. 3. Parents are not allowed in classes unless requested by the instructor or to video tape during the last 10 minutes of class.
4. 4. Parents and students can video tape STUDENTS to support learning.
5. 5. Please do not chew gum, eat or drink during class, other than drinking water.
6. 6. Hair must be tied back away from the face (no bangs covering the face).
7. 7. All students, except beginners, must wear half sarees to class. Beginners must wear salwar/kamees or churdar kamees with a dupata to tie around the shoulder and at the waist.
8. 8.It is important for the instructor to see the students’ feet while dancing. Please make that pants/leggings/salwars/churidars do not fall past the ankles.
   
9. 9. Rules are made to be followed, not broken.
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LEARNING TOOLS, DANCE GEAR AND SUPPLIES:

All students should own the following music:

Adavus, set of two CDs = $50
Repertoire of Shakti dances, three CD set = $90

CD sets should be obtained at the time of initial enrollment.

Shakti has limited supplies of sarees, stretch blouses and leggings:

Full set (saree, stretch blouse and leggings) = $45
Saree = $30
Stretch blouse and leggings = $16
Stretch blouse = $10
Leggings = $10

Dance jewelry and accessories usually go on sale in March, before the annual performance.
DVDs of Shakti performances are also available for sale:

Mythili Prakash in Natyam = $25
Bhagavad Gita = $35
Prince to Buddha = $35
Ramayana 2007 (sets of 2) = $35
Cinderella
Shyama 1997
Nutcracker 2011
Annual Performance (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011) = $30 each

ASSISTANT TEACHERS:

Please note that Viji Prakash is fully engaged with the students and has Assistant Teachers and Teaching Assistants in the different centers. These are students who have been learning and teaching under Viji Prakash’s supervision for years. This is part of Shakti’s method of teaching.

CONTACT INFORMATION/WAIVER FORMS:

If you have not filled out and returned a Contact Information/Waiver form, it will be available on the first day of class. Fill it out completely, and return it to one of the dance instructors. Contact information is maintained in a database that is used to communicate information on class schedules, practice times/locations, and upcoming events. If you contact information changes, please download a blank form from the web site, fill it out, and submit it to your instructor as soon as possible.

PRACTICE:

Students must practice regularly to keep up and make progress. The recommended practice rules are posted on the website. The practice log has been updated and is also posted on the web site.

ANNUAL PERFORMANCE:

Shakti hosts an annual performance for enrolled students every year during the Spring Quarter. Student participation is required. Bharata Natyam is a performance art and dancing on stage represents a critical part of the learning process and is a gauge for progress. Preparing for and participating in the annual performance helps students grow in the following areas:

1. 1. Appreciating the dynamic of dancing with students from other locations
2. 2. Learning from other students and instructors
3. 3. Observing the learning process of others, junior or senior to the student
4. 4. Forming closer bonds with fellow students
5. 5. Becoming more proficient at donning hair/flowers, make-up, costume and jewelry
6. 6. Understanding the logistics and technical components of a stage performance
   
   

ARANGETRAMS:

All Shakti students and parents are invited to Arangetrams (including newcomers). Parents and students mail out announcements but all are invited whether they get an announcement or not.