STUDENT SPOTLIGHT edgewood third grader dances bollywood style

When Shalini puts her mind to something she sticks with it.  Shalini Patel, a third grader in Mrs. Lottes' class decided to join the NDM Bollywood Dance Studio when she was only six.  Every year since, she has had Bollywood dance practice once a week at the Artesia NDM Dance Studio. 

Her performances are bi-annual; one in March and one in June.  Shalini mostly performs in a group, although she has done a few solos and a duet for private functions.  In addition, her dance group has been selected to compete in various dance competitions.  Later this year, her dance team will be competing in the Neema Dance Competition in Artesia.  They will also be performing at the Ford Amphitheater with some of NDM's other dance teams.

Shalini has the privilege to study under the instruction of Nukul Dev Mahajan, who has just recently choreographed dance routines for the Nobel Peace Prize Gala in Norway for the very famous Indian composer and singer, A.R. Rahman.  Mahajan is known for his role on "So You Think You Can Dance" as the Bollywood choreographer for the contestants for the last four years.

Through dance, Shalini has made many friends.  She says that she enjoys every minute of her Bollywood dancing mostly because the teacher is so fun and it's entertaining and fast paced.  Her goal is to be an instructor one day.  Shalini's parents, friends, and teachers are all very proud of all her accomplishments.