- Professional Training Program Description
- Selection Process
- Location
- Curriculum
Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program (September to June)
Our Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program is designed to provide comprehensive and advanced training in the classical Indian dance form of Bharatanatyam. We follow the Kalakshetra style of Bharatanatyam and include the “North Ceylon Sangeetha Sabha Bharatanatyam Examinations (Level 1-7).”
Throughout the program, students will receive intensive training in various aspects of Bharatanatyam, including technique, repertoire, theory, and performance. Our experienced instructors will guide students through a structured curriculum that covers both traditional and contemporary aspects of the dance form.
The program includes rigorous practice sessions to improve body alignment, footwork, hand gestures, facial expressions, and overall stage presence. Students will also learn the intricacies of rhythm and musicality, as Bharatanatyam is closely linked to Carnatic music.
In addition to technical training, the program also focuses on the artistic and expressive aspects of Bharatanatyam. Students will learn the art of storytelling through dance, emoting various characters and narratives through their movements and expressions.
As part of the training program, students will have opportunities to perform in various professional settings, such as stage productions, festivals, and cultural events. This will help them develop their stagecraft, gain confidence, and refine their performance skills.
After successfully completing Level 4 of our Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program, students have the opportunity to showcase their skills and progress by conducting their Junior Arangetrams. Upon completion of the Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program, students will be eligible to participate in the Senior Arangetram. The Senior Arangetram is the pinnacle of a dancer's training journey and signifies their readiness to perform advanced choreographies and complex compositions.
Our Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program aims to produce well-rounded and versatile dancers who are equipped with both the technical skills and artistic sensibilities required to excel in the field of Bharatanatyam.
- Professional Program (Level 1 - Level 6)
These are designed for all students. There are group levels according to the student’s dance grade. There are beginners, grade one, all the way to grade seven group classes. Students are taught according to the Laya Bhava Dance Academy’s curriculum. This involves the practical and theoretical component of dance. As each student completes their grade there is an examination they must pass in order to successfully move on to the next grade. Student’s who pass grade four are prepared to perform their junior arangetram (graduation). These group classes prepare students for exams, performances and ultimately their arangetrams (three hour solo performance). Included in the training program are: Exam Preparation Class- Exam prep classes are specifically designed to help a student successfully pass their exam. Here we review all material learnt throughout the year. This includes all of the practical dances (adavu and songs learnt), thalam (singing and saying jethis), oral theory (meanings of Hasthas) and written theory (notes). These are offered during the spring, summer and early fall to ensure a student’s success. This class prepares students for exams, performances and arangetrams. Students in grade seven are allowed to job shadow and are taught nattuvangam.
SUMMER INTENSIVE (part of the Professional Training Program)
The dancers of this program are groomed for professional careers and this initiative allows them to hone their performance skills for Laya Bhava Company productions and performances. This dancer training program was also conducted in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
-Salanga Pooja (by invitation only)
This class is for students who have 1-3 years of training. They will perform either individually or in a group for a 1 hour recital.
- Arangetram program (by invitation only)
This class is for students wishing to do their junior and/or senior arangetrams. They are usually private or group if doing a group arangetram. These classes are very intense where the student must practice and be prepared for each class. Students have class at least once a week and are required to take lessons very seriously. Students must be at an advanced level to take these classes. Students preparing for their junior arangetrams must be entering their advance classes atleast.
- Private/Individual Class
Anyone interested in one-on-one learning can take this class. This class will only consist of the teacher and student. These classes are very beneficial because the student will not be distracted and the teacher can pay more close attention to the student. Students taking private lessons learn more material, learn at a faster pace and develop into beautiful dancers quite early on. This class prepares students for exams, performances, and arangetrams.
- Competition/ Performance Preparation
Performance classes are designed specifically for student’s wishing to perform/compete dance. They are designed to suit the student’s needs for wherever they want to perform. Furthermore, students also may be hand picked for the school’s upcoming events/shows. It is recommended that the student be at an intermediate level of dance to be able to perform. The primary focus of these classes are to completely learn an item and be able to successfully perform it. There is very little focus on the theoretical aspects of dance. This class prepares students for performances and arangetrams.
Throughout the program, students will receive intensive training in various aspects of Bharatanatyam, including technique, repertoire, theory, and performance. Our experienced instructors will guide students through a structured curriculum that covers both traditional and contemporary aspects of the dance form.
The program includes rigorous practice sessions to improve body alignment, footwork, hand gestures, facial expressions, and overall stage presence. Students will also learn the intricacies of rhythm and musicality, as Bharatanatyam is closely linked to Carnatic music.
In addition to technical training, the program also focuses on the artistic and expressive aspects of Bharatanatyam. Students will learn the art of storytelling through dance, emoting various characters and narratives through their movements and expressions.
As part of the training program, students will have opportunities to perform in various professional settings, such as stage productions, festivals, and cultural events. This will help them develop their stagecraft, gain confidence, and refine their performance skills.
After successfully completing Level 4 of our Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program, students have the opportunity to showcase their skills and progress by conducting their Junior Arangetrams. Upon completion of the Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program, students will be eligible to participate in the Senior Arangetram. The Senior Arangetram is the pinnacle of a dancer's training journey and signifies their readiness to perform advanced choreographies and complex compositions.
Our Professional Bharatanatyam Training Program aims to produce well-rounded and versatile dancers who are equipped with both the technical skills and artistic sensibilities required to excel in the field of Bharatanatyam.
- Professional Program (Level 1 - Level 6)
These are designed for all students. There are group levels according to the student’s dance grade. There are beginners, grade one, all the way to grade seven group classes. Students are taught according to the Laya Bhava Dance Academy’s curriculum. This involves the practical and theoretical component of dance. As each student completes their grade there is an examination they must pass in order to successfully move on to the next grade. Student’s who pass grade four are prepared to perform their junior arangetram (graduation). These group classes prepare students for exams, performances and ultimately their arangetrams (three hour solo performance). Included in the training program are: Exam Preparation Class- Exam prep classes are specifically designed to help a student successfully pass their exam. Here we review all material learnt throughout the year. This includes all of the practical dances (adavu and songs learnt), thalam (singing and saying jethis), oral theory (meanings of Hasthas) and written theory (notes). These are offered during the spring, summer and early fall to ensure a student’s success. This class prepares students for exams, performances and arangetrams. Students in grade seven are allowed to job shadow and are taught nattuvangam.
SUMMER INTENSIVE (part of the Professional Training Program)
The dancers of this program are groomed for professional careers and this initiative allows them to hone their performance skills for Laya Bhava Company productions and performances. This dancer training program was also conducted in 2013, 2014 and 2015 and was supported by the Ontario Arts Council.
-Salanga Pooja (by invitation only)
This class is for students who have 1-3 years of training. They will perform either individually or in a group for a 1 hour recital.
- Arangetram program (by invitation only)
This class is for students wishing to do their junior and/or senior arangetrams. They are usually private or group if doing a group arangetram. These classes are very intense where the student must practice and be prepared for each class. Students have class at least once a week and are required to take lessons very seriously. Students must be at an advanced level to take these classes. Students preparing for their junior arangetrams must be entering their advance classes atleast.
- Private/Individual Class
Anyone interested in one-on-one learning can take this class. This class will only consist of the teacher and student. These classes are very beneficial because the student will not be distracted and the teacher can pay more close attention to the student. Students taking private lessons learn more material, learn at a faster pace and develop into beautiful dancers quite early on. This class prepares students for exams, performances, and arangetrams.
- Competition/ Performance Preparation
Performance classes are designed specifically for student’s wishing to perform/compete dance. They are designed to suit the student’s needs for wherever they want to perform. Furthermore, students also may be hand picked for the school’s upcoming events/shows. It is recommended that the student be at an intermediate level of dance to be able to perform. The primary focus of these classes are to completely learn an item and be able to successfully perform it. There is very little focus on the theoretical aspects of dance. This class prepares students for performances and arangetrams.
Selection Process - Professional Training Program
Are you ready to take the next step in your training journey and pursue your passion for bharatanatyam and dance? If you are a young dancer looking to challenge yourself and commit to more training hours and begin a career in dance, we have a program to help you reach your fullest potential!
Our Professional Bharatanatyam Dance Training Program offer High-calibre training that prepares dancers for a dynamic career in dance companies around the world. Our annual auditions are offered in-person and online, welcoming students from across Canada and worldwide.
The audition process:
Our Professional Bharatanatyam Dance Training Program offer High-calibre training that prepares dancers for a dynamic career in dance companies around the world. Our annual auditions are offered in-person and online, welcoming students from across Canada and worldwide.
The audition process:
- Audition in-person or online. Students who have successfully auditioned are invited to learn at the academy. Please call the school to schedule an interview and audition. Auditions are held annually in summer during the months of July & August of every year.
Commitment
The training program takes 7 years.
Students who have entered the professional training program are required to attend 3 classes a week which is a total of 9 hours per week.
Additional training is provided in the summer intensives during July-August.
Students who have entered the professional training program are required to attend 3 classes a week which is a total of 9 hours per week.
Additional training is provided in the summer intensives during July-August.
Location
Advent Lutheran Church (2800 Don Mills rd, North York, Ontario, M2J3B6
68 Apollo road, Markham Ontario, L3S4H1
Central Eglinton Community Center (160 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto Ontario, M4P 3B5)
Coming Soon:
We are looking at a new space in the GTA. More to come soon in Fall 2024.
68 Apollo road, Markham Ontario, L3S4H1
Central Eglinton Community Center (160 Eglinton Ave East, Toronto Ontario, M4P 3B5)
Coming Soon:
We are looking at a new space in the GTA. More to come soon in Fall 2024.
Curriculum
| curriculum_lbda.pdf |
Application Form
| laya_bhava_dance_academy_application_form.pdf |
Our program prepares participants for a career in the arts
Our program is designed to prepare participants for a career in the arts by providing them with a comprehensive and well-rounded education in Bharatanatyam. We equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences to pursue various roles within the field, including artists, arts workers or administrators, knowledge keepers, and teachers.
As artists, our program focuses on developing the technical proficiency, artistic expression, and stage presence of our students. Through rigorous training in Bharatanatyam techniques, repertoire, and aesthetics, we help students refine their dance skills and cultivate their unique artistic voice. We also encourage students to explore and experiment with different styles and approaches, allowing them to develop their own artistic identity.
In addition to artistic skills, we also provide students with practical knowledge and skills that are essential for careers in the arts. This includes training in areas such as arts management, dance teachers, community-engaged artists, choreographers and grant writers. By equipping students with these skills, we prepare them to work as arts workers or administrators in dance companies, cultural organizations, or arts institutions.
Through a combination of artistic training, practical skills development, research and scholarship, and pedagogical training, our program prepares participants for a wide range of careers in the arts. Whether students choose to pursue careers as performing artists, arts workers or administrators, knowledge keepers, or teachers, our program equips them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences to succeed in their chosen path.
As artists, our program focuses on developing the technical proficiency, artistic expression, and stage presence of our students. Through rigorous training in Bharatanatyam techniques, repertoire, and aesthetics, we help students refine their dance skills and cultivate their unique artistic voice. We also encourage students to explore and experiment with different styles and approaches, allowing them to develop their own artistic identity.
In addition to artistic skills, we also provide students with practical knowledge and skills that are essential for careers in the arts. This includes training in areas such as arts management, dance teachers, community-engaged artists, choreographers and grant writers. By equipping students with these skills, we prepare them to work as arts workers or administrators in dance companies, cultural organizations, or arts institutions.
Through a combination of artistic training, practical skills development, research and scholarship, and pedagogical training, our program prepares participants for a wide range of careers in the arts. Whether students choose to pursue careers as performing artists, arts workers or administrators, knowledge keepers, or teachers, our program equips them with the necessary skills, knowledge, and experiences to succeed in their chosen path.
Faculty
PRINCIPAL INSTRUCTORS:
Kirupanithy Ratneswran – Artistic Director and Head of Professional Training Program
Sahana Ratneswaran – Assistant Artistic Director, Head of LBDA Curriculum
INSTRUCTORS:
Premy Shanthamoorthy - Dance & Talam
Luckshana Thiruchelvam - Dance
Vaisnavi Shanthamoorthy - Dance
Nilshika Suvaminathan - Dance and Carnatic Music
INSTRUCTORS IN TRAINING:
Akshayaa Thiyagarajah
Rithija Balaganesan
Saini Manivannan
ADMINISTRATOR
Akshayaa Thiyagarajah
Kirupanithy Ratneswran – Artistic Director and Head of Professional Training Program
Sahana Ratneswaran – Assistant Artistic Director, Head of LBDA Curriculum
INSTRUCTORS:
Premy Shanthamoorthy - Dance & Talam
Luckshana Thiruchelvam - Dance
Vaisnavi Shanthamoorthy - Dance
Nilshika Suvaminathan - Dance and Carnatic Music
INSTRUCTORS IN TRAINING:
Akshayaa Thiyagarajah
Rithija Balaganesan
Saini Manivannan
ADMINISTRATOR
Akshayaa Thiyagarajah
Artistic Director, Professional Training Program
Mrs. Kirupanithy Ratneswaran has learnt Bharathanatyam from a very young age in Sri Lanka. In 1983, Kirupanithy had moved to India to pursue post professional training in dance and nattuvangam at the Bharatha Choodamani Academy of fine arts under the eminent Guru Adyar K. Lakshman.
In 1985, Kirupanithy moved to Germany where she toured as a professional dance artist. As the first Bharatantyam artist in Germany, she began her own school of professional bharatanatyam training. As more students graduated from her school, they began dancing professionally alongside Kirupanithy. In 1993, Kirupanithy published her first book, “Bharatha Muthirai” which is a book of dance theory from grade one to seven.
In 1993, Kirupanithy moved to Canada and opened the Canadian branch of her school “Laya Bhava Dance Academy.” In 1997, she published her second book “Bharatha Natyam” which is a book consisting of all the adavus with pictures drawn by herself. This book teaches the technique of adavu (detailed analysis of steps). In 1999, Kirupanithy was choreographing many productions (dance dramas) and has had her group tour in Europe and USA. She has also conducted many workshops and has had the privilege of inviting her Guru Adyar K. Lakshman to conduct workshops at her school. He has conducted workshops in Germany, and in Canada in the summers of 1995, 2005, 2006 and 2009.
She had received the Dance Professional Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2012. Under her artistic direction, Laya Bhava Dance academy also received the Ontario Arts Council dance training grant in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018 for the summer professional training program. Her graduates have performed in prestigious Venus in Chennai notably, Kalakshetra Foundation 2015 & 2019. She received the community engaged arts grant in 2024. She is a continuous learner of dance and has learnt from abhinaya from Bragha Bessell, Indira Kadampi and also learnt at Kuchipudi Art academy. Kirupanithy has also worked in partnership with YRDSB’s schools to conduct dance workshops and community productions.
Kirupanithy has many students who have completed their arangetrams and are now teaching and dancing professionally. She co-founded Sahana Dance Company in 2011 to provide Tamil bharatanatyam artists with a vision of having a career in dance. She is involved in new choreographic works for the Canadian Tamil diaspora, community-engaged arts and teaching.
In 1985, Kirupanithy moved to Germany where she toured as a professional dance artist. As the first Bharatantyam artist in Germany, she began her own school of professional bharatanatyam training. As more students graduated from her school, they began dancing professionally alongside Kirupanithy. In 1993, Kirupanithy published her first book, “Bharatha Muthirai” which is a book of dance theory from grade one to seven.
In 1993, Kirupanithy moved to Canada and opened the Canadian branch of her school “Laya Bhava Dance Academy.” In 1997, she published her second book “Bharatha Natyam” which is a book consisting of all the adavus with pictures drawn by herself. This book teaches the technique of adavu (detailed analysis of steps). In 1999, Kirupanithy was choreographing many productions (dance dramas) and has had her group tour in Europe and USA. She has also conducted many workshops and has had the privilege of inviting her Guru Adyar K. Lakshman to conduct workshops at her school. He has conducted workshops in Germany, and in Canada in the summers of 1995, 2005, 2006 and 2009.
She had received the Dance Professional Grant from the Canada Council for the Arts in 2012. Under her artistic direction, Laya Bhava Dance academy also received the Ontario Arts Council dance training grant in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2018 for the summer professional training program. Her graduates have performed in prestigious Venus in Chennai notably, Kalakshetra Foundation 2015 & 2019. She received the community engaged arts grant in 2024. She is a continuous learner of dance and has learnt from abhinaya from Bragha Bessell, Indira Kadampi and also learnt at Kuchipudi Art academy. Kirupanithy has also worked in partnership with YRDSB’s schools to conduct dance workshops and community productions.
Kirupanithy has many students who have completed their arangetrams and are now teaching and dancing professionally. She co-founded Sahana Dance Company in 2011 to provide Tamil bharatanatyam artists with a vision of having a career in dance. She is involved in new choreographic works for the Canadian Tamil diaspora, community-engaged arts and teaching.