Neela Dance Academy

This dance school has been serving the Jackson Heights area for over a decade, with new branch in Manhattan. We specialize in teaching two styles of Indian classical dances: Kathak and Kuchipudi. Enrollment is open for both kids and adults and they are taught with utmost care. Each class is tailored to progressively prepare the students for stage performance and develop appreciation for these beautiful art forms. Strong emphasis is given on the elements required to become a classical dancer. The ultimate mission is to maintain and propagate the rigors and beauty of Kathak and Kuchipudi dance styles to the next generation of the New York metro area and beyond. NEELA DANCE ACADEMY (NDA) is a school for Kathak & Kuchipudi dance training in New York city. Headed by classical dancer Dr. Neela Zareen, a disciple of Guru Sadhana Paranji and Guru Prerana Deshpande, the school is dedicated to propagating the knowledge of Kuchipudi and Kathak dances forms to the next generation. Dance studio branches are located in the heart of Jackson Heights, Queens & Manhattan, NYC. New students are welcome to enroll. Based in New York, Dr. Neela Zareen has trained in Indian classical dance styles of Kuchipudi under the tutelage of her Kuchipudi Guru Sadhana Paranji and Kathak under the tutelage of her Kathak Guru Prerana Deshpande. She has performed Kuchipudi and Kathak on various occasions in the tristate area for over two decades. With the blessings and guidance of her Gurus, Neela began her dance school Neela Dance Academy, where she teaches traditional Kathak and Kuchipudi. She is passionate about propagating her art forms to the next generation in their purest form. Neela also participates as a judge and advisor for classical dance competitions held by the Nataraj Dance Showcase located in New Jersey. In parallel with her dance career, Neela works as a postdoctoral neuroscientist at the City College of the City University of New York.