In 1989, CEO Shari Tomasiello and her mother created Headliners with a simple mission: that it would be an educationally based and goal-oriented competition, providing a fun and encouraging environment that’s inclusive of dancers of all sizes, levels, and abilities. Headliners continues to expand and will be hosting fall conventions and regional competitions in 19 states, culminating in a national finals in July. Tomasiello remains committed to that foundation, and to keeping the dancers at the center of it all. “We have always been about the kids,” she says. “This isn’t just a job for us. It’s really and truly a […]

The thematic performance, choreographed by Shruthi Shoby, had bhakti as its core focus

Balancing modernity and tradition has always been a matter of debate when it comes to creative arts. Karnataka’s Yakshagana artistes weigh in…

The dancer created history by becoming the first Indian to win an award at the Indonesia Tango Championship Preliminaries 2025 — an official qualifier for the World Tango Championship in Buenos Aires

The post Sahasra Sambamoorthi Teaches a Bharatanatyam Warm-Up Combo appeared first on Dance Teacher.

Whether she is teaching advanced or beginner kathak or bharatanatyam-style Indian dance classes, Sahasra Sambamoorthi, director of New York City’s Navatman Dance Company, has implemented a version of this warm-up combination for over 30 years.  The spine stretch, found in bharatanatyam and other classical Indian styles, is useful for dancers of all backgrounds and disciplines. “The spine is super-integral in bharatanatyam,” she says. It is one of the few styles that necessitates full twists without moving the hips, “so we want [the spine] always to be a little bit flexible and prepared.” In this warm-up, she says, you’ll feel all […]

For generations, dance teachers have relied on physical touch to guide and even mold their students’ bodies into alignment. Certainly, touch can be an effective teaching tool—but is it always appropriate? What happens when dancers start feeling uncomfortable? What if they simply prefer not to be touched?  We’re tackling this sensitive topic in our upcoming DT+ Teacher Talk, “Consent Practices in Dance Education.” On Thursday, July 17, at 12 pm EDT, guest speakers Elaine DiFalco Daugherty, assistant theater professor at Central Michigan University, and Heather Trommer-Beardslee, associate dance professor at CMU—co-authors of the book Consent Practices in Performing Arts Education—will […]