Kamala Cesar, disciple of T. Balasaraswati (Bharata Natyam, South Indian Dance), was born in Brooklyn, NY,  and is Native American (Mohawk Tribe) and Filipino. She studied Bharata Natyam (the classical dance of South India) both in the United States and in India, under T. Balasaraswati, Bharata Natyam's legendary and foremost exponent. She is one of the few American disciples carrying on the style of T. Balasaraswati in this country. Ms. Cesar has participated in programs sponsored by the American Society for Eastern Arts, the Center for World Music, Asian Traditions, The American Dance Festival, and Wesleyan University.  In 1986, she was a recipient of the National Endowment for the Arts Folk Art Apprenticeship.  She has performed extensively in the United Stated, Europe, and India. Ms. Cesar is the Founder and Artistic Director of Lotus Music & Dance, a not-for-profit organization that since 1989 has been supporting multicultural programs that further the understanding, appreciation, and preservation of traditional arts and the creation of new works that evolve from traditional art forms. She has produced several cross-cultural productions, including: The New York Ramayana; Eagle Spirit—A Tribute to the Mohawk High Steelworkers; Message of Peace—An Excerpt from the Peacemaker’s Journey; World in The City; Dancing Across Cultural Borders; World Dance Passport;  and Lotus—the Energy Within.  Since 2002, she has produced Drums Along the Hudson: A Native American Festival and Multicultural Celebration, Manhattan's only open-air Pow Wow celebrating Native American heritage along with world cultures and their traditional dance and drumming. Click here for Class Information 

 To view a video of Kamala - Bharata Natyam Mudras (Hand Gestures), click here 

Caren Vietta Calder is a dancer, storyteller, percussionist and yoga instructor.  Her professional dance career began in upstate New York with Garth Fagan’s Bottom of the Bucket, But… Dance Theatre, and then with Lois Welk, Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane of the American Dance Asylum. Her training expanded from modern and improvisational dance to African/Caribbean dance with Pearl Primus and Percival Borde.  Her return to NYC launched her fully into West African dance with the Chuck Davis Dance Company, Forces of Nature Dance Company, Iyataiye Dance Company and Harambee Dance Company.  Coming full circle, she repeatedly appears with the improvisational performance piece, “From the Horses Mouth,” created by Tina Croll and James Cunningham.  Her union with Women of the Calabash (founded by Madeleine Yayodele Nelson) brought her singing and percussion to Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall and Town Hall. Previously an adjunct professor at Borough of Manhattan Community College and a dance consultant with the NYC Housing Authority, she has taught African dance to children through the World Dance Heritage Project (a project of Lotus Music & Dance Studios that provides teaching residencies to private and public schools). Caren is a certified instructor in basic level Hatha Yoga and Therapeutic Yoga, and currently teaches at North General Hospital’s Supportive Housing Unit and Harlem School of the Arts. She provides Professional Development Workshops for schoolteachers and administrators in yoga and African dance infusion across the curriculum. Ms. Calder is Artistic Director of Indigo Arts, a family-based company providing music, dance and storytelling from the African tradition for all occasions. Indigo Arts has performed at the CUNY Graduate Center, the 60th UN Celebration at the Marriott Marquis, Martha’s Vineyard, weddings, and numerous schools within the Tri State area. Caren has appeared in various television programs including Dance Black America (PBS), Reading Rainbow (PBS) and Six Artists Who Are Woman (PBS).

Pandit Satya Narayana Charka is the Director of the East-West School of Dance in Monroe, NY.  He has studied under Pt. R.K. Shukla, Smt. Maya Rao, Pt. Shambhu Maharaj, and Pt. Birju Maharaj. Pt. Charka is recognized as one of the foremost exponents of Indian classical dance. He has presented numerous ballets and traditional Indian dance recitals both domestically and internationally. He also served as a cultural representative appointed by the Government of India in Japan, Australia, and the Fiji Islands. In addition, he was selected as the premier artist in major festivals at the Sydney Opera House for four consecutive years. He is a very caring Guru and is untiring in his efforts to spread the beauty of Kathak dance.