Performing Arts Awareness Program, Gifts donation, Lunch
Thomas House Shelter, Garden Grove, January 2024
- For the children at the shelter, my students and their families performed dance, songs, and instruments and talk about how dance and music changed their lives.
- Organized lunch and blanket, toy donations for the families at the shelter.
- Organized a fundraiser by selling custom Dhoon Dance-related merchandise at our annual picnic; efforts led by senior students.
Fundraisers and art initiatives
Dance out of Poverty, India, 2020-2022
- Offered free online dance classes during COVID to help kids stay engaged during lockdown for 3 months
- Created artwork from my students to help inspire and connect with underpriviged kids learning at Dance out of Poverty organization in India
- Challenged my online students to do house chores and raise money from their parents to donate to Dance Out of Poverty. We successfully raised $300 from 10 students
- Invited one senior student from Dance Out of Poverty India (an underprivileged student) to do an online workshop for my students; in return, paid him my one month’s dance proceeds
- Donated parts of the proceeds from my online dance classes to Dance Out of Poverty in India to help kids with tablets or books during COVID, to stay connected with learning dance despite the lockdown
Other social Initiatives
- Donated part of recital proceeds from dance classes to American Red Cross
- Performed as a volunteer dancer to support different causes through several SoCal non-profit organizations 2010-2024
- Shankara Eye Institute India and American Cancer Society – co-performed to raise money for free eye surgeries for underprivileged
- Southern California Interfaith Council – taught dance to volunteers and performed to bring unity through dance amongst different cultures
- Project Crayons – organized fundraiser through music and dance for underprivileged kids in India to support their arts program
- Dakshini and Academy of Cultural Arts and Exchange– Taught dance as a dance director to many children over 10 years to spread awareness about dance, music, and Indian cultural history in US
- Fundraiser and arts awareness program for Thomas House Shelter – mentored youth student to organize fundraiser through customized merchandise sale
- Mentored youth to conduct research to apply dance techniques to improve mental health and well being to transitional families at Thomas House Shelter
- Fundraiser for Ronald McDonald House – mentored youth students to organize a fundraiser through customized merchandise sale
- Teaching seniors and youth at Praana – mentored youth students to help teach fluid movements to seniors and youth at a senior cultural organization to promote well-being