Learn Kathak
Adult classes
Advanced/Professional
Advanced/Professional
Adult classes for beginner/intermediate, offer a comprehensive introduction into all the facets of the kathak form. These include basic knowledge of the north Indian rhythmic systems (taal), body vocabulary (ang), spoken language (bols) and recitation (padhant). Traditional compositions, introduction to Sanksrit Sloka, poetics such as K
Adult classes for beginner/intermediate, offer a comprehensive introduction into all the facets of the kathak form. These include basic knowledge of the north Indian rhythmic systems (taal), body vocabulary (ang), spoken language (bols) and recitation (padhant). Traditional compositions, introduction to Sanksrit Sloka, poetics such as Kavita, and songs rendered in narrative gesture are also explored.
Advanced/Professional
Advanced/Professional
Advanced/Professional
As the standard of Kathak dance increases to this level, daily practice is integrated into the student's lifestyle. The term advanced or professional becomes relative as one is constantly reminded of the creative potentials of this vast Kathak form.
Chhandam Dance Company is the professional dance stream of our institution. Members of the company are invited, at the discretion of Joanna de Souza.
Teaching Staff
Joanna de Souza
Joanna de Souza received Kathak dance training under the Late Pandit Chitresh Das from 1978. She studied in the guru-shisha-param-para tradition, and was given a deep knowledge of Kathak through this one-on-one relationship.
An award-winning full-time dancer, teacher, choreographer, and storyteller, Joanna teaches locally, nationally and internationally from beginner to professional levels, on a year-round basis. This feeds her dedication to see Kathak continue to flourish, especially in Canada.
In 2015, Joanna was awarded Angikam’s Dr. Maya Rao Award, in recognition of her innovative body of kathak choreograpy, and in 2018, toured the work BARDO, made in collaboration with contemporary dancer Misty Wensel and Chhandam Dance company, to 5 major cities across India.
From 1993-2012, Joanna brought her music and dance skills to the internationally recognized Toronto Tabla Ensemble. Joanna brings her decades of experience and unbridled passion and joy to her classes.
Teachers
Jane morris
Amrit Phull
Jane morris
Jane has been studying Kathak with Joanna de Souza, since 1993. She teaches beginner and intermediate level classes through our school, and actively creates personal new works for kathak. An entrepreneur, Jane teaches international students English, helps prepare them for necessary examinations, and works with Graduate students.
Ira Raina
Amrit Phull
Jane morris
Ira embarked on her Kathak journey under Joanna De Souza at the age of 25. In addition to weekly classes, Ira performed with the Chhandam Dance Company. Performances included the Royal Ontario Museum, Art Gallery of Ontario and Body Percussion Festival amongst others. As an MBA graduate, Ira works at the Bank of Montreal in Finance Technology Transformation.
Amrit Phull
Amrit Phull
Amrit Phull
Amrit began her study of Kathak in 1996 with Joanna de Souza. Amrit joined the Chhandam Dance Company for the India tour of Bardo, a contemporary Kathak production. She loves the mathematical, rhythmic complexity and lyrical movement of the Kathak tradition. Amrit will be teaching the adult beginners classes as of September 2022.
Aarti Anand
Crystal D’Silva
Amrit Phull
Aarti has been studying Kathak with Joanna De Souza since 2016. She has trained in Bharatanatyam dance, and learned and taught Carnatic vocal music. Aarti recently performed traditional Kathak solo work under Joanna’s guidance, which gave her invaluable lessons on discipline and preparedness.
Crystal D’Silva
Crystal D’Silva
Crystal D’Silva
Crystal has been studying Kathak with Joanna De Souza since 2012, and joined Chhandam Dance Company for their 5-city tour of India in 2018. She also has a background in Latin dance and teaches salsa classes at the BeSalsa Dance Academy in Brussels. As a research scientist and budding toxicologist, Crystal currently works in the field of medical device safety.
Musicians
SANTOSH NAIDU
Santosh is a Canadian ‘Platinum’ recording artist who has been in the music industry for over 20 years. At the age of 5, he embraced the study of classical tabla under the tutelage of Ritesh Das and master Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri. At the age of 14, he became a co-founding member of the Juno-nominated World Percussion group “Toronto Tabla Ensemble”.
As a member of TTE, he performed all over North America at various music festivals. In 2001, Santosh joined Platinum and Grammy-nominated recording artist K-OS as his lead percussionist and drummer and has written and performed with K-OS for the past 9 years. Santosh Naidu has been nominated for numerous awards including a Juno award and a My Bindi Award. Santosh has also co-written scores for film, including “Anamika” (2002), “Burning to Shine” (2006) and “Calcutta Taxi” (2013).
Santosh regularly accompanies KathakToronto classes, allowing students to experience and develop skills of dancing with in-person tabla.
Ian de Souza
Ian is a bass player and producer that has worked in almost every musical idiom imaginable. He has toured throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia. He is the recipient of a Juno Award, National Jazz Award, and a Dora Mavor Moore Award. Ian has also done extensive work with the Toronto Dance and Film community, and regularly composes and produces for CHHANDAM Dance Company and M-DO/KathakToronto.