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Niki Shepherd Dance

What I Do

Teaching

My goal is to make Indian Dance accessible, uplifting, fun and engaging to all ages and fitness levels. Teaching dance to adults and children is so rewarding and valuable to me. Children amaze me with their constant enthusiasm to learn, create their own moves and then make dance together. Everyone brings something to the dance, their unique interpretation and embodiment of a language of movement and story. Indian Dance is a rich resource, with complex layers of beautiful music, rhythms, story and magnificent moves.

Schools

Children love learning about dance and I regularly arrange performances and workshops for pre school, primary and secondary schools.
Kids enjoy learning through dance, developing their confidence and skills while exploring a complex and fascinating art form of stagecraft and performance. My classes and workshops are engaging, fun and creative

Indian Dance

Kuchipudi Classical Indian Dance is ancient dance brought to life through movement, mime, rhythm and beautiful music. Indian Dance is over 3000 years old and evolved with the purpose of bridging the gap between literate and illiterate audiences to allow all to enjoy stories of Hindu mythology. Through performances and workshops Niki Shepherd makes Kuchipudi accessible and entertaining for all ages and levels of ability.

Performing

I have huge respect for the stage as a space where art has the potential to take people on a short journey away from our everyday orientation. I cherish performance time. Each time I step onto a stage I am aware the audience is giving me their time and attention. This is a wonderful opportunity for me to share an ancient stagecraft and an honour to share it in a variety of contexts.

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About Me

Niki Shepherd is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher specialising in the ancient art of Kuchipudi classical Indian dance. Niki has many years of experience in studying, performing and teaching this “story telling” form of dance, including training at the Kuchipudi Art Academy in Chennai, India as an Australia Council ‘Professional Development’ grant recipient and as dancer in-residence at The Australian Choreographic Centre.

Niki Shepherd’s dance work is about ancient dance being brought to life through movement, mime, rhythm and beautiful music.

Niki currently directs Blue Mountains Indian Dance offering classes in Kuchipudi (beginners to advanced), Nattuvanggam (mouth percussion) classes, performances for events, specific workshops for community groups, dance programs as part of the Australian Sports Commission Active Kids courses in schools and tutoring in dance at Korowal Studios in Hazelbrook.

A workshop Niki ran earlier this year for a Young Mother’s Retreat in the Blue Mountains was a great success.

“Everybody enjoyed the workshop, the kids had such fun getting dressed up and trying on the jewellery while the mums learnt a few dance moves. We were all a little shy but Niki put us all at ease, there was so much laughter, I had a great time. At the end Niki performed a beautiful dance for us all to watch, everyone (even the youngest children) were mesmerised by the grace and animation of this enchanting dance style.”Sophie Corbett (Parenting Young Facilitator, Mountains Outreach Community Service)

Niki’s ongoing passion for sharing her love of Indian dancing in an educational, energetic and fun way means her unique dance workshops respond to the interests and needs of her local community.

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Niki Says

Niki say’s;

‘The role of Kuchipudi as a storytelling art form, is full of emotional content, meaning and purpose and this underlies the content of my choreography. Working with beautiful music and meaningful themes brings it to life’.

In 2009 Niki presented MADHU- a solo dance recital which premiered in South Australia’s Adelaide’s Fringe Festival. A review reads of her performance –

“After 15 years of experience in studying, performing and teaching this unique style of dance, it shows in this elaborate performance, highlighting Niki’s talents for Kuchipudi; the ancient art form of Indian-style dancing. It will leave you fascinated and wanting more….and gives you a taste of cultural dancing that is not normally seen in Australia”. Rebekah Shepherdson (RIP Magazine Adelaide March 2009)

Niki’s most recent work was on March 19th this year at ‘Storyganza’ at the Blue Mountains Cultural Centre. Niki presented a newly choreographed dance work with poet Anita Patel and renowned musician Neill Duncan. Sita’s Story , was a premiere live performance of Anita Patel’s poem, Sita, a unique retelling of the Ramayana story from Sita’s perspective. Following this feature act Niki performed a radiant classical Kuchipudi piece, Ramayana Shabdam - the story of Rama and Sita which unfolds verse by verse and is interwoven by short phrases of pure dance technique.






What's on

Term 2 Indian Dance for Kids Classes

Wednesdays 3.30-4.30pm
Start Wed 6th May
$12 per class
Korowal School
54 Hall Parade, Hazelbrook


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