Kathak beginner’s classes are suitable for beginning dancers. Students in this stream learn the basics of Kathak with a vision to later move to Kathak Advanced Classes. Monisha will ensure everyone is well looked after, in a non-judgemental environment with lots of one-on-one tuition. At the end of the day/week, students are given an opportunity to perform and work in groups to showcase their learning progress, preparing them for advanced classes.
Kathak advance is suitable for students who have previously been a part of Kathak Beginners stream or are confident dancers. Students in this stream will learn to perform vigorously, preparing them to perform at upcoming MKDC MOVEMENT events.
Run in conjunction with Kathak Advance classes, students go through various forms and style of dancers in preparation for upcoming MKDC MOVEMENT events. Capable students will be given an opportunity to showcase their hard work and passion for dance in front of hundreds of audiences.
Company Rehearsal classes are for MKDC members. This group consists of a multi-gender, a mixed-race group of students with a passion for dance. MKDC members prepare to perform at upcoming MKDC MOVEMENT events such as Beyond Bollywood and alike.
Monisha Kumar is the First Indian dance graduate from Unitec with a Bachelors in Performing and Screen Arts majoring in Contemporary Dance, a Post Graduate Diploma in Teaching and a Post Graduate Diploma in Dance Studies. After a failed audition for India’s Dance India Dance in Australia, Monisha was handpicked and part of Dream Girls of Bollywood, a musical production in which she was a dancer performing in New Zealand and India. In India, she was mentored by some of the best in the industry including the likes of Bollywood’s Saroj Khan and influenced by Remo D’Souza, Terence Lewis, Bosco-Caesar and Vaibhavi Merchant.
Recognised as a NZ choreographer, Creative director and choreographer Monisha Kumar has not just worked in New Zealand but worked in Fiji, New Caledonia, Australia and India and has years of experience in the creative industry. Monisha is also a qualified high school teacher and is currently HOD of Dance at One Tree Hill College for the past 6 years aspiring young individuals to unleash their dancing dreams. Her students have gone onto to perform with the likes of Bollywood celebrities Bappi Lahiri, Sukhir Singh, Mika Singh and Hollywood’s Jennifer Lopez and Justin Bieber to name a few. Monisha Kumar is one stop shop with expertise ranging from Costume, Lighting programming, sound mixing and editing, Audio Visuals programming, background and props design and valuable up to date academic dance education and advice.
Monisha School of Dance was established in 2006 to preserve Indian dance and heritage in New Zealand. Due to its popularity and number of choreographic and performance success, it has changed the orthodox mindset of many Indians in New Zealand that creative people can indeed be successful if they put their mind and heart in the right way. Managed solely by Monisha Kumar and a team of freelance creative individuals, the school, is recognized and appreciated by the people of New Zealand.
Nominated for following Awards at TEMPO, NZ Festival of Dance
2008
– Best Youth Production: Monisha School of Dance- Viva La Bollywood
– Best Youth Choreography : Monisha Kumar- Viva La Bollywood
– Best Performance with an International Flavour- Monisha Kumar and –
Monisha School of Dance- Viva La Bollywood
2009
– Best Costume Design Most Spectacular: NATRAJ DANCE – Monisha Kumar (from Sacred Dance)
AWARDS WON:
Winner– TEMPO 2009 Monisha School of Dance-Viva la Bollywood
Winner– Tempo 2009 People’s Choice Award: Monisha School of Dance for Jai Ho (The Kids Show)
ACHIEVEMENTS:
Only Indian dance school to perform Bollywood dance genres at:
TEMPO 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2016, 2018
NZ Body Arts Awards, 2010 – Opening Dance
Auckland Museum, 2015, 2018
Auckland Live – 2018
CREDIT: THE VIDEO BELONGS TO ITS” RESPECTIVE OWNERS.
Self-confidence, dignity, honour and possibly a career path are among the best attributes of this event which has been growing year after year and I welcome you to join this journey.” Those were the words of initiation by Rhythm Events and Films Director Dharmesh Parikh as he addressed the participants of Miss Indianz 2022. This year’s event will be held on Thursday, October 20, 2022, at SkyCity Theatre, Auckland, and the enthusiasm of those involved was pronounced at the launch function held at Mt Eden Bistro in Central Auckland.
A fusion of Indian and Māori dance was among the entertainment acts enjoyed by more than 200 people during the popular Diwali celebrations in Whangārei over the weekend.
The Northland Indian Association organised the event at the Capitaine Bougainville Theatre on Saturday and acknowledged its partnership with the tangata whenua at the outset.
More on: www.nzherald.co.nz/diwali
Self-confidence, dignity, honor and possibly a career path are among the best attributes of this event which has been growing year after year and I welcome you to join this journey.” Those were the words of initiation by Rhythm Events and Films Director Dharmesh Parikh as he addressed the participants of Miss Indianz 2022. This…
200,000 plus Indian New Zealanders heeding the call to get vaccinated. The ethnic group makes up the largest eligible Asian population, and has one of the highest uptakes of the Covid-19 vaccine per capita among ethnic groups, according to Ministry of Health data. Link: https://tinyurl.com/bdfswwvf
Doing dance with the company has really improved my skills through out by the years, showing me different types of dances and really boosting my confidence
Really loved working with you Monisha
Monisha’s confidence in me, has helped me to push myself beyond what I could have imagined. Her hard work, willingness and encouragement sets the basis for an enjoyable environment for everyone
Heres a few highlights of our past work!
Kathak Beginner 1 pm – 2 pm
Kathak Advance 10.30 am – 11.30 am
Company Rehearsals 11.45 am – 12.45 pm
