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Instructors
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Instructors
Meet Our Instructors
Passionate and skilled dance instructors dedicated to inspiring confidence, creativity, and excellence in every dancer.
Anshu Pal
Dance Instructor
Anshu has been dancing since age 6, training in Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Hip-Hop. She served as co-captain of her high school and college Bhangra teams, choreographing award-winning routines for national competitions and performing at events like the Miss India DC Pageant, Bhangra Blowout, and Bhangra in the Burgh. With over 20 years of choreography experience, she has taught all age groups and specializes in wedding and group performances. She previously instructed at Studio Dhoom in Northern VA and founded Richmond Indian Dance Academy (RIDA) in 2022, leading youth teams to competitions and performing at Disney World’s Diwali Dance Fest 2025. Anshu holds degrees from Virginia Tech (2015) and Wake Forest University PA School (2018). She lives in Richmond with her husband and son and works as a Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Physician Assistant at OrthoVirginia
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Anshu Pal
Dance Instructor
Anshu has been dancing since age 6, training in Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Hip-Hop. She served as co-captain of her high school and college Bhangra teams, choreographing award-winning routines for national competitions and performing at events like the Miss India DC Pageant, Bhangra Blowout, and Bhangra in the Burgh. With over 20 years of choreography experience, she has taught all age groups and specializes in wedding and group performances. She previously instructed at Studio Dhoom in Northern VA and founded Richmond Indian Dance Academy (RIDA) in 2022, leading youth teams to competitions and performing at Disney World’s Diwali Dance Fest 2025. Anshu holds degrees from Virginia Tech (2015) and Wake Forest University PA School (2018). She lives in Richmond with her husband and son and works as a Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Physician Assistant at OrthoVirginia
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Anshu Pal
Dance Instructor
Anshu has been dancing since age 6, training in Kathak, Bollywood, Bhangra, and Hip-Hop. She served as co-captain of her high school and college Bhangra teams, choreographing award-winning routines for national competitions and performing at events like the Miss India DC Pageant, Bhangra Blowout, and Bhangra in the Burgh. With over 20 years of choreography experience, she has taught all age groups and specializes in wedding and group performances. She previously instructed at Studio Dhoom in Northern VA and founded Richmond Indian Dance Academy (RIDA) in 2022, leading youth teams to competitions and performing at Disney World’s Diwali Dance Fest 2025. Anshu holds degrees from Virginia Tech (2015) and Wake Forest University PA School (2018). She lives in Richmond with her husband and son and works as a Hand & Upper Extremity Orthopedic Physician Assistant at OrthoVirginia
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Jiya Patel
Dance Instructor
Jiya has been training in Bollywood dance since the age of nine, transforming her early passion into a dedicated artistic journey. After joining RIDA as a student in 2022, she quickly advanced to become an instructor in 2023. She now teaches Bollywood and Bollywood fusion to children ages 3–10, fostering a structured, supportive environment that encourages confidence, discipline, and creative expression. In addition to teaching, Jiya has choreographed and performed at prominent community events such as Festival and Taste of India. She is currently a nursing student at VCU and an active member of the university’s competitive Bollywood fusion team, Ishaara, competing nationally. Jiya is committed to inspiring young dancers to grow both technically and personally through the art of dance.
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Jiya Patel
Dance Instructor
Jiya has been training in Bollywood dance since the age of nine, transforming her early passion into a dedicated artistic journey. After joining RIDA as a student in 2022, she quickly advanced to become an instructor in 2023. She now teaches Bollywood and Bollywood fusion to children ages 3–10, fostering a structured, supportive environment that encourages confidence, discipline, and creative expression. In addition to teaching, Jiya has choreographed and performed at prominent community events such as Festival and Taste of India. She is currently a nursing student at VCU and an active member of the university’s competitive Bollywood fusion team, Ishaara, competing nationally. Jiya is committed to inspiring young dancers to grow both technically and personally through the art of dance.
Book Classes
Jiya Patel
Dance Instructor
Jiya has been training in Bollywood dance since the age of nine, transforming her early passion into a dedicated artistic journey. After joining RIDA as a student in 2022, she quickly advanced to become an instructor in 2023. She now teaches Bollywood and Bollywood fusion to children ages 3–10, fostering a structured, supportive environment that encourages confidence, discipline, and creative expression. In addition to teaching, Jiya has choreographed and performed at prominent community events such as Festival and Taste of India. She is currently a nursing student at VCU and an active member of the university’s competitive Bollywood fusion team, Ishaara, competing nationally. Jiya is committed to inspiring young dancers to grow both technically and personally through the art of dance.
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Chandhini Kerachan Muraleedharan
Dance Instructor
Chandhini began her dance training in early childhood and received formal classical training in India, building a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam. She has since expanded her expertise to include Kathak, Semi-Classical, Bollywood, Kuthu, and Contemporary styles. During college, she led and choreographed for her dance team, earning multiple competition wins and recognitions. Currently a member of VCU Ishaara, a nationally competitive Bollywood fusion team, Chandhini brings both performance excellence and musical depth—supported by her training in Carnatic music—into her choreography and teaching. She is passionate about mentoring young dancers and fostering confidence, discipline, and cultural connection through dance.
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Chandhini Kerachan Muraleedharan
Dance Instructor
Chandhini began her dance training in early childhood and received formal classical training in India, building a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam. She has since expanded her expertise to include Kathak, Semi-Classical, Bollywood, Kuthu, and Contemporary styles. During college, she led and choreographed for her dance team, earning multiple competition wins and recognitions. Currently a member of VCU Ishaara, a nationally competitive Bollywood fusion team, Chandhini brings both performance excellence and musical depth—supported by her training in Carnatic music—into her choreography and teaching. She is passionate about mentoring young dancers and fostering confidence, discipline, and cultural connection through dance.
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Chandhini Kerachan Muraleedharan
Dance Instructor
Chandhini began her dance training in early childhood and received formal classical training in India, building a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam. She has since expanded her expertise to include Kathak, Semi-Classical, Bollywood, Kuthu, and Contemporary styles. During college, she led and choreographed for her dance team, earning multiple competition wins and recognitions. Currently a member of VCU Ishaara, a nationally competitive Bollywood fusion team, Chandhini brings both performance excellence and musical depth—supported by her training in Carnatic music—into her choreography and teaching. She is passionate about mentoring young dancers and fostering confidence, discipline, and cultural connection through dance.
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Sudeshna Mohanty
Dance Instructor
Sudeshna has been dancing since the age of two and is formally trained in the classical Indian dance form of Odissi. She has participated in numerous state and national competitions across India and was honored with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Samman for her dedication to the performing arts. During her college years, she served as Cultural Secretary, organizing and choreographing performances for festivals, competitions, and international youth events. In addition to Odissi, she is skilled in Bollywood, Lavani, Belly Dance, and Semi-Classical styles. Now based in Richmond, Sudeshna is passionate about sharing her cultural roots and inspiring students to build confidence and self-expression through dance.
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Sudeshna Mohanty
Dance Instructor
Sudeshna has been dancing since the age of two and is formally trained in the classical Indian dance form of Odissi. She has participated in numerous state and national competitions across India and was honored with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Samman for her dedication to the performing arts. During her college years, she served as Cultural Secretary, organizing and choreographing performances for festivals, competitions, and international youth events. In addition to Odissi, she is skilled in Bollywood, Lavani, Belly Dance, and Semi-Classical styles. Now based in Richmond, Sudeshna is passionate about sharing her cultural roots and inspiring students to build confidence and self-expression through dance.
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Sudeshna Mohanty
Dance Instructor
Sudeshna has been dancing since the age of two and is formally trained in the classical Indian dance form of Odissi. She has participated in numerous state and national competitions across India and was honored with the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Samman for her dedication to the performing arts. During her college years, she served as Cultural Secretary, organizing and choreographing performances for festivals, competitions, and international youth events. In addition to Odissi, she is skilled in Bollywood, Lavani, Belly Dance, and Semi-Classical styles. Now based in Richmond, Sudeshna is passionate about sharing her cultural roots and inspiring students to build confidence and self-expression through dance.
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Yutika Aggarwal
Dance Instructor
Yutika has been dancing since the age of three and is trained in Bollywood and classical Kathak. She brings strong technique, expressive storytelling, and vibrant energy to her choreography, often blending traditional Indian styles with contemporary elements. With experience choreographing sangeets in India and New York, she enjoys creating memorable performances ranging from theatrical dance dramas to high-energy routines for children. Yutika has taught students ages 4–20 and is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, stage presence, and a love for movement. A 2025 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she currently works as a business analyst in the Richmond area and is excited to continue growing with the RIDA family.
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Yutika Aggarwal
Dance Instructor
Yutika has been dancing since the age of three and is trained in Bollywood and classical Kathak. She brings strong technique, expressive storytelling, and vibrant energy to her choreography, often blending traditional Indian styles with contemporary elements. With experience choreographing sangeets in India and New York, she enjoys creating memorable performances ranging from theatrical dance dramas to high-energy routines for children. Yutika has taught students ages 4–20 and is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, stage presence, and a love for movement. A 2025 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she currently works as a business analyst in the Richmond area and is excited to continue growing with the RIDA family.
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Yutika Aggarwal
Dance Instructor
Yutika has been dancing since the age of three and is trained in Bollywood and classical Kathak. She brings strong technique, expressive storytelling, and vibrant energy to her choreography, often blending traditional Indian styles with contemporary elements. With experience choreographing sangeets in India and New York, she enjoys creating memorable performances ranging from theatrical dance dramas to high-energy routines for children. Yutika has taught students ages 4–20 and is passionate about helping dancers build confidence, stage presence, and a love for movement. A 2025 graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, she currently works as a business analyst in the Richmond area and is excited to continue growing with the RIDA family.
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Jotie Dhillon
Dance Instructor
Jotie has been dancing for as long as she can remember, drawing inspiration from her Punjabi roots through Bhangra, the expressive energy of Bollywood, and the hip-hop culture of her hometown, Philadelphia. She stayed deeply involved in dance throughout high school and college, serving as an original member of the Mason Ke Rang Bollywood Fusion Team at George Mason University and performing in competitions nationwide. After moving to Richmond in 2023, she found her dance community with RIDA and has been teaching Bollywood and Bhangra for the past two years, sharing culture, confidence, and joy with every class.
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Jotie Dhillon
Dance Instructor
Jotie has been dancing for as long as she can remember, drawing inspiration from her Punjabi roots through Bhangra, the expressive energy of Bollywood, and the hip-hop culture of her hometown, Philadelphia. She stayed deeply involved in dance throughout high school and college, serving as an original member of the Mason Ke Rang Bollywood Fusion Team at George Mason University and performing in competitions nationwide. After moving to Richmond in 2023, she found her dance community with RIDA and has been teaching Bollywood and Bhangra for the past two years, sharing culture, confidence, and joy with every class.
Book Classes
Jotie Dhillon
Dance Instructor
Jotie has been dancing for as long as she can remember, drawing inspiration from her Punjabi roots through Bhangra, the expressive energy of Bollywood, and the hip-hop culture of her hometown, Philadelphia. She stayed deeply involved in dance throughout high school and college, serving as an original member of the Mason Ke Rang Bollywood Fusion Team at George Mason University and performing in competitions nationwide. After moving to Richmond in 2023, she found her dance community with RIDA and has been teaching Bollywood and Bhangra for the past two years, sharing culture, confidence, and joy with every class.
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Olika Karki
Dance Instructor
Olika is a former RIDA dancer with experience in and love for Bollywood dance. As a high school student thinking about her future in college, she is passionate about creating a fun, encouraging environment where young students can learn, stay active, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun!
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Olika Karki
Dance Instructor
Olika is a former RIDA dancer with experience in and love for Bollywood dance. As a high school student thinking about her future in college, she is passionate about creating a fun, encouraging environment where young students can learn, stay active, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun!
Book Classes
Olika Karki
Dance Instructor
Olika is a former RIDA dancer with experience in and love for Bollywood dance. As a high school student thinking about her future in college, she is passionate about creating a fun, encouraging environment where young students can learn, stay active, build confidence, and most importantly, have fun!
Book Classes
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