AKSHATA BHIDE

Senior Instructor

Apart from being a full time HR professional, Akshata’s passion lies in performing and choreographing Indian folk dances and she thoroughly enjoys dance drama with a Bollywood flair. She completed her Arangetram, acquiring Distinction in Masters in Bharatanatyam at the age of 14.Her first ever dance performance on stage was at age 6! and loved performing and since then haven't looked back. At school she was amongst the merit dancers who performed at every possible function. In college she choreographed dances that won medals every time.

⁠She was introduced to Nachle by a friend in 2014 and has always been a part of Nachle Dance School in every capacity she could!

Teaching dance is her passion and Nachle has given her this opportunity to live it! She believes that Nachle genuinely cares about the students, making sure that not only their dancing skills are enhanced, the focus is also on enhancing other skills like teamwork, sharpening of memories, being aware of their bodies, developing personalities, bringing confidence, combat stage fear and many more. She takes pride in being part of the Nachle family who really cares and puts in immense effort in their students and teachers alike.

Choreography styles: Bharathnatyam, Semi Classical, Contemporary and Bollywood

ANISH ABRAHAM

Senior Instructor

Anish, known as the chocolate boy of Nachle, has harboured a deep love for dancing since a very young age, but the opportunity to express himself through dance only unfolded during his college days. His affinity lies with Bollywood style, Hip Hop, and Contemporary. Anish's passion for dance transcended his college days, finding expression through choreographies for small events in India. Upon migrating to Australia in 2016, the most significant turning point for him was discovering Nachle Dance School, where he could rekindle his love for dance after a substantial hiatus.

Nachle, for Anish, is not just a dance school but a family, where the unparalleled passion and enthusiasm shared among members for each other, and the art form is truly exceptional. Anish dedicates his time voluntarily and on an ad-hoc basis. Nachle, according to Anish, fosters a dance environment filled with love, care, and nurturing for every participant, whether they are students, teachers, or external participants. He takes immense pride in training the boys and senior students, bringing forth his versatile expertise in Bollywood dance forms.

Choreography styles: Bollywood, Dappankuthu and Hip-Hop

ISABEL SIMON 

Instructor

Isabel Simon, a high school student, experienced the joy of her first dance performance at the age of 4, an enchanting moment that promptly unveiled her deep passion for dance. Becoming part of Nachle Dance School at the age of 10 in 2017, she emerged as one of the most dedicated students under Sherin’s guidance. Nachle has provided her with extensive training in a myriad of styles, including Hip-Hop, Dappankuthu, Bhangra, Contemporary, Bollywood, Semi-classical, Folk, Kathak, and more.

Embarking on her teaching journey in early 2022, Isabel discovers immense fulfillment in imparting her passion and love for dance to children, guiding them to unlock their full potential.

Choreography styles: Bollywood

JULIE THOMAS

Senior Instructor

Julie’s dance journey commenced at a young age, unveiling an early inclination for movement and rhythm. Her passion for dance is coupled with a deep appreciation for life’s small pleasures, creating a harmonious balance. Julie's proficiency lies not only in her technical skills but also in her ability to convey expressions and character-themed dancing, making it her specialty.

Julie is equally passionate about dance and HR. Over the years, she has trained in various Indian dance styles. A move to Sydney in 2017 and crossing paths with Nachle, who shares the same enthusiasm for dance, allowed her to reconnect with her passion after a long hiatus.

For Julie, teaching dance transcends a mere profession—it grants her the freedom to express herself, serving as her inner voice and personal zone.! Julie supports the Nachle Campbelltown instructor team as a volunteer and on an ad-hoc basis. Not only does she contribute to others' development, but she also finds true friends along the way – making the journey truly rewarding. To her, Nachle is not just a dance school but a family.

Choreography styles: Bollywood, Contemporary and Dappankuthu

KALYANI THEKEDAR

Instructor

An electrical engineer by profession, Kalyani has enjoyed dancing since her childhood. Despite lacking professional training, her innate talent for dance shines through. She cherishes her affiliation with Nachle which began in 2014 as a student. Nachle is like family to her and she has built a great rapport with fellow dancers and is loved by all for her beautiful nature. Her progression to a teaching role has allowed her to share her love for dance and she thoroughly enjoys assisting in classes and soaks in the energy and excitement the young students bring to the classes.

Choreography styles: Bollywood

MANISHA MOHANDAS VIPIN

Senior Instructor

Why walk when you can Dance!! Manisha’s mantra for life 😃

Manisha Mohandas, aka MM! considers dancing pretty much her heart and soul! Manisha had the wonderful opportunity to join Nachle as a volunteer through Sherin, with whom she shares the same passion for dance! She loves teaching the most amazing kids at Nachle on an ad-hoc basis, who are so full of life and passionate about dance! Nachle has the best environment and vibe for the teachers and students alike to express their creativity!

"A trained classical dancer since the age of 5, Manisha has been exploring different styles of dance ever since. She has found her unique style in hip-hop and belly dancing, but Indian classical still remains her first love! Manisha has her YouTube channel where she expresses her creativity in dance"

Choreography styles: Hip-hop, Belly dance and Classical dance styles

MELNA SAJI

Instructor

A high school student, Melna was introduced to Nachle by her friends and have always enjoyed seeing their performances as an audience. Her passion for dance started at the age of 5 where she started training in Bharatanatyam and joined NAchle in 2019.

Melna thoroughly enjoys being a part of Team Nachle and she believes that the friendships between the students make classes super enjoyable. The bond between the students and their active participation in classes has cultivated a positive environment. From the extra rehearsals to trying on costumes to the anticipation before performing is always something I’ve cherished. As well as being a student at Nachle, she enjoys teaching younger students and watching their passion for dance grow.

Choreography styles: Bharatanatyam and Bollywood

MITHUN MATHEWS

Senior Instructor

Mithun Mathews, an IT professional with an undying passion for dance, embarked on his dance journey at the tender age of 8, and his fervor for dance has endured ever since. Since 2019, he has been an integral part of Nachle, contributing through choreography and teaching. However, it wasn't until 2022 that he transitioned into teaching professionally. Mithun's commitment to dance and his dedication to instilling personal development in children through dance inspired him to join Nachle as a teacher.

As the lead trainer for boys in the Campbelltown region, Mithun's teaching has not only encouraged boys' interest in dance but has also led to the formation of multiple levels of boy student groups. His influence extends beyond instruction, creating a vibrant community where boys find their passion for dance nurtured and celebrated.

Choreography styles: Bollywood, Dappankuthu and Contemporary

NEHA JOSEPH

Senior Instructor

A full-time Business/IT student with an enduring love for dance since a young age, Neha Joseph commenced her dance journey at a tender age. She has been a dedicated student at Nachle for over 9 years, fostering her dance skills within the close-knit Nachle family. Initiating her involvement in choreography and teaching intermittently since 2018, she officially assumed leadership of classes in 2022.

Neha stands out for her remarkable versatility, eagerly embracing any dance style thrown her way, be it Folk, Kathak, Hip-Hop, or Contemporary. Through her association with Nachle, Neha has enhanced her abilities in a variety of styles adding depth to her dance repertoire.

Having cherished her progression from a devoted student to a proficient teacher, Neha is wholeheartedly passionate about aiding and guiding others on their dance journey.

Choreography styles: Bollywood and Dappankuthu

PRIYANKA LAKSHMAIAH

Senior Instructor

Priyanka's dance journey has been a guiding light throughout her role as a Strategic Lead for Infrastructure Projects. She trained in Bharatanatyam at the age of 4, discovering grace and discipline, and explored belly dancing and JFH (Jaz – Funk – Hiphop) for the joy of spontaneity and rhythm. Priyanka, defines dance as the language of movement, which communicates emotions and stories without words.

The most rewarding part has been the community at Nachle with whom she is involved as a volunteer on an ad-hoc basis. Having known Sherin and Vidiya since 2012, Priyanka sees Nachle not just as a dance school but as her Sydney family. It's a platform for personal growth, learning, discovering, and respecting uniqueness. As a dance mentor, Priyanka guides students and fellow instructors through techniques, witnessing progress and confidence blossom. Beyond choreography, she fosters an environment where creativity flourishes. Witnessing joy on a dancer’s face fuels her commitment to empower and uplift through dance.

Choreography styles: Bollyfunk and Indo-western styles

SARANGI ANAND

(Choreographer)

Sarangi started her dance journey at the age of 6 and right from a young age, she always cherished the ability to move her body and express her feelings through dance. She had been a part of her school dance team in Doha, Qatar, since grade 1, and around grade 10, had her own dance troupe for the school annual programs. Even though she has completed her arangetram in Bharatanatyam and Mohiniyattam, she also loved dancing to cinematic and hip-hop styles. Her signature approach to choreography is to combine semi-classical and cinematic forms.

Holding a BA in Journalism with honors from Kingston University, London, Sarangi has recently reaffirmed her commitment to dance as her paramount passion, finding unparalleled joy and fulfillment in the artform.

Sarangi's journey led her to join the esteemed Nachle Dance School, renowned in the Wollongong/Illawarra area for its exceptional offerings in Indian dance forms. Her relocation from London to Wollongong has been enriched by her involvement with Nachle, where she contributes her choreographic expertise to enhance the school's routines.Her presence at Nachle Dance School not only exemplifies her dedication to her craft but also signifies her eagerness to infuse traditional and contemporary dance forms with her innovative choreographic visions.

Choreography styles: Bharatanatyam, Semi Classical and Bollywood

SHAGUN RATAWAL

Instructor

A high school student, Shagun Ratawal discovered Nachle at the age of 7, marking the beginning of her dance journey. She holds the distinction of being the first student of the Nachle Campbelltown branch in 2013, a testament to her early commitment to dance. Additional training at Down to Bhangra in Sydney uplifted her inherent skill to Punjabi dance forms. She has been immersed in the world of dance ever since. Her main dance styles included Bhangra and Bollywood, with ongoing exploration in hip-hop, contemporary, and more under the guidance of Nachle.

Shagun finds joy in teaching dance as it allows her to share not only her passion for dance but also her love for her culture. Her dedication to showcasing the richness of her heritage through dance is truly inspiring.

Choreography styles: Bhangra and Bollywood

SHAHANI MANIKKASINGHE

Trainee Instructor

Shahani began her journey in the world of dance at the age of 5 when she started learning Bharathanatyam from the esteemed Guru Mrs. Shivananthy Haridharshan at the Nirthana School of Dance in Colombo. The traditional and intricate art form of Bharathanatyam became her passion and laid the foundation for her lifelong love of dance.

Upon relocating to Australia as a full time University of Wollongong student, her desire to continue dancing led her to search for dance schools in Wollongong. She discovered Nachle Dance school, a vibrant and welcoming community that resonated with her passion for dance.

Teaching at Nachle goes beyond the technicalities; it's about fostering an emotional connection to dance, sharing the joy and therapeutic benefits that movement brings, and creating a space where students can find their own moments of emotional release and connection through the art of dance.

Performing on various stages in Sri Lanka, India, and now in Australia, she continues to explore the universal language of dance, bridging cultures and connecting with audiences on a profound emotional level.

Choreography styles: Bharatanatyam and Bollywood