Shachi K. Phene
Creative Director
Shachi is a New York City-based dancer, teacher, and choreographer with twenty years of experience in Indian classical, film, and folk dance. She trained in Bharathanatyam under the tutelage of Gurus Ranjani Saigal (Eastern Rhythms School of Dance), Kausalya Srinivasan (Sunartaka School of Bharatanatyam), and Sunanda Narayanan (Thillai Fine Arts Academy). She spent five years with Ajna Dance Company, serving as Assistant Director for 2016 and 2017. She has performed and put together shows for numerous venerable institutions including the United Nations, Ellis Island, the South Asian Performing Arts Festival, 8 in Show, the Rubin Museum, the American India Foundation, and more.
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Shachi's style is highly expressive and nuanced, and her choreography typically follows a narrative arc. She has performed in many different venues, but particularly enjoys creating pieces for the stage and film.
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Shachi has a vast experience of teaching dance to students of all ages, backgrounds, and dance ability. She is an expert at working with young children and drawing out skill from those with little dance experience. She is a firm believer that anyone can learn to dance.