COMING SOON

COMING SOON

COMING SOON

In addition to being a dancer in the Dance Company, Andrea is also one of the instructors for Dholrhythms Bhangra classes.

Been a part of Dholrhythms:
Since 2012

How I came to love Punjabi music & dance:
A friend took me to the Saturday morning class at Ashkenaz–I had never even heard of Bhangra before that. I went home all excited and searched “Bhangra” on YouTube…several hours and about 200 Gurdas Maan videos later, I was utterly hooked!

About me:
In the outside world, i am the house manager of the beautiful Freight & Salvage music venue in downtown Berkeley where i can always be found on the dance floor whether we’re presenting a band from Cuba, Mali, Colombia, or South Africa. I also spend as much time as possible outdoors on hiking trails and in kayaks, as well as reading my way through the contemporary fiction section of the Berkeley Public Library.  

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
Absolutely everything! It’s added such a wonderful dimension to my life to be a part of this beautiful community of people from random corners of the world who have all come together to share music, dance, and super positive vibes! I love it all!!

Favorite Quote:
“It’s not what you look like when you’re doin’ what you’re doin’
It’s what you’re doin’ when you’re doin’ what you look like you’re doin’
Express Yourself!”
-Charles Wright & the Watts

Been a part of Dholrhythms:
since 2012

How I came to love Punjabi music & dance:
A librarian friend enticed me to my first Saturday bhangra class at Ashkenaz by promising me “It’s Indian!  And it’s fun!” My initial response was, “But aren’t most Indian things fun?” She was right. It was Indian. And more importantly, it was really fun.

About me:
For over decade I’ve taught high school history and I’m currently teaching at Marin Academy in San Rafael. I completed my MA in modern South Asian history at UC Berkeley; although I specialize in Indian history, I also teach Asian and world history more generally. I am also on the board of SACHI, the Society for the Art & Cultural Heritage of India. Bhangra is an important part of my life because it keeps my body happy and my mind sane.

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
I think all of us in the troupe will probably say something relatively similar, but personally what I love most about Dholrhythms is being a part of the collective. We’re really and truly a sisterhood. We share our successes, we share our challenges, and we celebrate our life transitions with each other. Plus there’s the added benefit that my daughter has more masis than she knows what to do with!

Favorite Quotes:
“As if the sorrows and stupidities of the human condition could overwhelm me, [but] now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained.There is no way of telling people they are all walking around shining like the sun.” -Thomas Merton

The Buddha silently held a white flower up before his followers. Mahākāśyapa smiled. The Buddha spoke to his disciples, “What can be said I have said to you. What cannot be said I have given to Mahākāśyapa.” -Paraphrase of the Flower Sutra

Started with Dholrhythms: in 2007

How i came to love Punjabi music & dance:
I’ve been dancing a variety of styles since I was a little girl. I started dancing with Dholrhythms as a member of a huge crowd at their summer concert at the San Francisco Stern Grove in 2007.  I got up to dance bhangra in the aisle during the lesson, became mesmerized and haven’t stopped since

About me:
I’m a doctor of acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine, and I have a clinic in the Bay Area along with practitioners from a variety of healing traditions. I’m also a professor at medical schools in both San Francisco and Berkeley, where we stay up on cutting edge treatments and train new doctors in field.

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
Dancing frees my spirit. The sound of the drumbeat goes through me and resonates in a way that feels like I can get in touch with a deeper and more grounded part of myself.

Favorite Quotes:
“Do what you love and you’ll never have to work a day in your life!”

”The philosopher’s soul dwells in his head, the poet’s soul is in the heart; the singer’s soul lingers about his throat, but the soul of the dancer abides in all her body.” Khalil Gibran

Been a part of Dholrhythms:
Since 2006

How I came to love Punjabi music & dance:
I was exposed to Bhangra as a teenager, attending weddings and parties where this music was played and everyone danced.

About me:
I’ve had a love of music and dancing since I was a child. As a kid, I remember performing at variety shows hosted by my parents’ social club.  I remember that feeling of nervous excitement that would take over just  before going onstage.  I still get that feeling today!

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
I love sharing my passion for dancing with a diverse and thoughtful group of women. We’ve shared much laughter, heartache and joy over the years.  We’ve developed a beautiful sisterhood.

Favorite Quotes:
“We may have all come on different ships, but we’re in the same boat now.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

COMING SOON

In addition to being a dancer in Dholrhythms, Nina is also one of the lead choreographers for the dance company.

Been a part of Dholrhythms:
since 2006

How I came to love Punjabi music & dance:
I first got introduced to Bhangra when a friend lent me The Rough Guide to Bhangra CD. What a fun sound! By coincidence, not too long after that, I went to an event where Dholrhythms was performing, and realized that this was the same music. When I learned that Vicki was teaching dance classes, of course I had to go — and the rest is history.  I also discovered — and love — Qawwali, partially through its connections to Punjab, and partially through its connections to Persian music, which I also enjoy. Through Dholrhythms, I’ve really come to love and appreciate all aspects of Punjabi folk music.

About me:
I enjoy all kinds of dance, but currently Bhangra/Giddha is my favorite. When I’m not dancing, I work as a data scientist, and I read lots of ghost stories and folklore. I write about folklore, and about aspects of the supernatural in literature and popular culture at my blog, Multo Ghost. Some of my posts about Punjabi folktales are here and here.

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
I love the dancing, I love creating choreography and learning the choreography that Vicki and other dancers create. I like learning about Punjabi culture, and I love the sisterhood that all the dancers have formed together. We’re like a big, extended, dancing family!

Favorite Quote:
“There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action and because there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique. And if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium and will be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is nor how valuable it is nor how it compares with other expressions. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open. No artist is pleased. There is no satisfaction whatever at any time. There is only a queer, divine dissatisfaction, a blessed unrest that keeps us marching and makes us more alive than others.” – Martha Graham

COMING SOON

Started with Dholrhythms: in 2003

How i came to love Punjabi music & dance:
Punjabi music has always been a part of my life since we had Punjabi neighbors and friends growing up. It was and still is a big part of Bollywood music so weddings and all other celebratory occasions always included Bhangra and Giddha.

About me:
I am a registered dietitian nutritionist, Ayurvedic wellness practitioner, yoga teacher and yoga therapist. My passion is to combine all of these healing modalities to create a unique and effective experience for my clients on their path to wellness. Dancing allows me to explore my creativity outside of work and it is a wonderful form of exercise. Bhangra and Giddha are such a fun, high energy and infectious form of dance and I love how it brings together people from so many diverse communities.

What i love about being a part of Dholrhythms:
Dholrhythms is not just a dance group that I belong to – it’s a family and friendship and community. We came together because of our love for dance but we have become such a close-knit sisterhood where we share not just dance but our lives, our work, our joys and our sorrows. It’s a wonderful support system and I am so proud and grateful to be a part of it.

Favorite Quotes:
“Even after all this time, the Sun never says to the Earth “You owe me.” Look what happens with a love like that, It lights the whole sky.” – Hafiz

“Dance, when you’re broken open. Dance, if you’ve torn the bandage off. Dance in the middle of the fighting. Dance in your blood. Dance when you’re perfectly free.” -Rumi

Connect with me: 
Facebook | Website