Art in Action Performance Dance Course 2010
Dance Instructor: Jamuna Leader

Last Updated: 15th July 2010
Some parents recorded videos of the dance performances at Art In Action. View some samples of the beautiful dancers, their costumes and their dance below.  And the dance teacher, Jamuna Leader, introduces one of the dances.

1. Mangalam
2. Namami Dance
3. Indian Veil Dance
4. Jai Ho Dance
5. Kudi Kudi Dance
6. Prayers



Updated: 14th June 2010


Another successful performance of Indian Classical Dance at this year’s Art in Action Festival on Sunday 6th June 2010! Twenty-five girls from John Scottus Junior School performed twice on Sunday, showcasing a range of Indian classical dances learnt during their school dance classes and during the “Art in Action Performance Dance Course”. The girls were divided into three groups with a mix of girls from Form 2 to 4th Class. All participants came once a week, after-school, to learn two dances over the course of 12 practice sessions. The girls worked hard during class and while practicing at home, and their efforts really paid off as they performed beautifully on Sunday. The slideshow above contains photographs from the dance rehearsal and the two performances.

The aim of the Art in Action Performance Dance Course was to gather a group of children who were committed to dance and enthusiastic about performing. In all dances the children display different Mudras (hand gestures) to signify various meanings. Many steps involve following the hands with the eyes. These two features are central to most dances and require significant focus and attention to detail. I would always encourage the children to want perfection in every dance step. If the desire is there within the child to want to work on each dance step until it’s exactly right, this provides a beautiful ambience and results in a flawless performance. With such a mix of children and ages however, this kind of perfection is not always possible but something to work towards.

The girls range in age from 5 years – 10 years old, which is a very young age group to work with. However, the girls have proved, over the duration of the course and at the performances on Sunday, that they are more than capable of giving a wonderful performance no matter what age. The costumes were carefully chosen and designed to suit the dances concerned. Props such as Flower Bouquets, Fans and Veils were also used for some dances. All girls wore beautiful accessories such as flowers in hair, bindis on forehead, bangles around wrists and ankle bells around ankles. Most of the accessories and cloth for the costumes were purchased in India.

The Art in Action Performance Dance Course requires a lot of work, dedication and attention to detail. From music to costumes, dance step videos to props, photographers to accessories, classes to running orders, info sheets to rehearsals. On top of this, one of the main aspects of the course is that all the dances are specially choreographed for the dancers concerned. This is a very time consuming part of the course but is also very rewarding. It’s definitely fair to say, however, that after seeing the girls perform on Sunday, all the work involved is worth it to see the girls perform so happily and beautifully.

Well done to all my lovely little dancing stars! You made me very proud!

If anyone would like copies of the photos above, please send an email message to jamunaleader@gmail.com

Jamuna/ Ms. Leader
Course Creator/ Dance Instructor

Updated: 20th May 2010
Art in Action Performance Dance Course is in its second year now. Last year's performance went very well and the children and parents loved the whole experience. Performing is always an exciting thing for children!

This year there are a total of 25 girls on the course. These girls are split into three groups, who come on either Wednesday, Thursday or Friday (after school) to learn dances to perform at Art in Action in June. Each group is learning two dances over the space of 12 dance classes.

What Classes are involved? The girls performing are from Form 2 - 4th Class, and are broken up as follows: Form 2 = 6 Girls 1st Class = 5 Girls 2nd Class = 7 Girls 3rd Class = 5 Girls 4th Class = 2 Girls They above girls are divided between the three groups (performing separate dances) as follows. - Wednesday Group: 7 Girls: 1st - 3rd Class. - Thursday Group: 9 Girls: Form 2 & 1st Class. - Friday Group: 9 Girls: 2nd - 4th Class.

Wednesday Class

Thursday Class

Friday Class

Performance Dance at Art In Action 2010

The girls will be performing at Art in Action which takes place over the June Bank Holiday Weekend.

Date: Sunday 6th June.
Show Times: They will do two shows; one at 3:30pm and another at 4:30pm!
Where: These performances will take place in the Dining Room of Townley Hall Main House!
Cost: Tickets on sale at the house reception.

What they are performing?

The Children's Indian Classical Dance Performance will showcase a range of Indian style dances; including Abhinaya, Bollywood, Classical and Folk Indian Dance. The music was carefully chosen from various sources and reflects the wide range of styles existing in Indian culture and dance.

The following is a list of the dance pieces to be performed and the groups who will be performing them:
• Opening Prayer - All Dancers
• "Where the hand goes..." Prayer - Form 2
• "In this body..." Prayer - Form 2
• Mangalam Dance - 1st Class
• Radhe Dance - 2nd Class
• Namami Dance - 3rd Class
• Swan Dance - 4th Class
• Flower Dance - Thursday Group
• Fan Dance - Wednesday Group
• Indian Veil Dance - Friday Group
• Maahi Ve Dance - Thursday Group
• Jai Ho Dance - Wednesday Group
• Kudi Kudi Dance - Friday Group
• Closing Prayer - All Dancers