October 8 - Nov. 12
This is a beginner’s level class series for youth ages 7-17. Kids are encouraged to attend all classes since they will be learning choreography to be performed for family and friends on the final day.
BOLLYWOOD, from Indian film dance, combines many forms of dance; Classical Indian, Jazz, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. The dances tell stories that range from a child’s favorite games to the greatest love stories. Bollywood dance is filled with characters, colorful costumes, and pure joy. It is a rhythmic and celebratory dance that mixes the physicality of hip hop/funk with the soul of the ancient tradition of India. In these classes learn the basic Eastern rhythms and upbeat, energetic movements that make up BOLLYWOOD dance. Isabella’s class can challenge and delight with drawing inspiration from her roots in Kathak (North Indian Classical) dance, and fusing it with her high knowledge and training in Western dance forms.
ISABELLA QURESHI was born and raised in an environment imbued with Indian music & dance, thanks to her father, world-renowned percussionist Zakir Hussain, and her mother, Kathak dancer/choreographer Antonia Minnecola. As a child, Isabella traveled to India and accompanied her mother to Kathak dance classes with late (and great), Sitara Devi. Isabella began her western dance training at age 4 at Dance Theatre 7 in Fairfax under Jody White, David Roxander, and Georgia Ortega. At Dance Theatre 7 Isabella studied ballet and Jazz extensively. Isabella went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree in dance with a concentration in visual media at Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. Upon graduating, she returned to Marin to teach jazz, contemporary, and ballet at Dance Theatre 7, RoCo Dance & Fitness, and Marin Ballet. Isabella came back to her Indian roots, mixing her Indian dance background with her western training in a high-energy, aerobic Bollywood class. She has been teaching Bollywood throughout the Bay Area and can’t wait to further share this tradition with the dancers of DanceVersity World Dance for Youth.
