Vancouver School Board Artist in Residence Program

Raakhi began working with the Gujurati Society of BC in 1999, choreographing dances for cultural events and international competitions. A co-founder and dancer with FootEdge, she and Gurpreet were members of VIBE, a nine-time champion Bhangra dance team. Raakhi also co-hosts a monthly Bhangra show for CBC Radio.

Gurpreet is co-founder with Raakhi of South Asian Arts, an organization promoting dance and music from the Indian, Pakistani, Sri Lankan and Bangladeshi communities. He plays the Dhol drum, the instrument to which Bhangra is traditionally danced. Both he and Raakhi have extensive volunteer experience teaching music and dance to children and youth. In 2005, in partnership with Higher Grade Learning Centre, they organized Camp Dosti, a month-long annual academic and cultural summer camp in Vancouver and Surrey.

South Asian Dance K-12
Raakhi and Gurpreet teach the cultural dance styles of Bolly, Garba Raas, and Bhangra with Dhol drumming in a fun learning environment. Students learn how to highlight their own strengths and bring out their highest levels of energy. Within six sessions, students gain an understanding of South Asian cultures and are able to identify traditional, folk, and fusion music/movements specific to each style. They also develop a cultural dance piece to perform for their peers and audiences.

Raakhi and Gurpreet will use their knowledge of South Asian dance to develop a program that fulfills the individual needs of each class.

2007 AIR Evaluation: “South Asian Arts has great potential in our school system.”

For further information call (604) 713-5206.

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