-By Supriya Lal
By day, I lead multiple engineering teams as a group tech lead at Yelp, solving complex technical challenges.
By night, I transform into a high-energy dance instructor at Rangeela Dance Company, pushing participants to their physical limits.
This might seem like a sharp contrast, but balancing my passion for dance with my demanding tech career has been a game-changer for my personal and professional growth.
Generated with AI
Interplay of Leadership Roles
Giving large-scale presentations in the office became more manageable as I started leading dance classes and got used to talking to an audience. Meanwhile, a leadership role at the office helped me hone my ability to lead a dance class and build the confidence to give clear instructions to students.
Communication is the Key
Clear communication is crucial at work and in the fitness studio. In the dance studio, I communicate through movement and motivation, ensuring that students of all levels can follow along and stay engaged. In tech mode, I guide my teams through tackling design and technical execution.
Compartmentalizing Life as a Skill
One of the biggest challenges in balancing two roles is making sure each one gets my full attention when it’s time, which requires learning to compartmentalize my work. During office hours, my focus is entirely on my work. Once the clock hits 5 pm, I set the work aside COMPLETELY. This is the key to maintaining balance and not overwhelming myself.
Learning to compartmentalize my life significantly improved my ability to multitask at work.
Motivation in Tech and Fitness
One of the most rewarding parts of being a dance fitness instructor is watching people break through their physical limits and achieve their fitness goals. Similarly, as a Group Tech Lead, I see my success in the success of the teams solving complex problems and delivering high-quality work. In both spaces, my role is to encourage people to believe in themselves and push beyond what they think is possible.
Pursuing Hobbies Bring Fulfillment
Dance is my passion, and it helps me unwind from a busy day in tech. Teaching dance fitness gives me a creative outlet and recharges me for my responsibilities as a tech lead.
Conclusion
We don’t have to limit ourselves to our 9-to-5 jobs. With good time management and clear boundaries, it’s possible to excel at work while fully pursuing our hobbies. By embracing both my career and my passion for dance fitness, I’ve found balance and fulfillment in both.
Pursuing your hobbies will bring out the best in your work as well, rather than compromising it. Do it guilt-free!
Rangeela Dance Company Founder and Director, Priyanka Vora, with Shakti Mohan.
-by Anisha Advani & Priyanka J. Vora
In mid-September 2024, Rangeela Dance Company had the honor of hosting internationally renowned Indian dancer, choreographer, and television personality, Shakti Mohan, for an exclusive dance event in Seattle. As part of her U.S. tour, Shakti brought her vast expertise and passion for dance to the Seattle community, creating an unforgettable evening filled with inspiration, learning, and artistry. Renowned for her expertise in contemporary, hip-hop, Bollywood, and classical dance, Shakti has become a global dance icon, and through founding her brand, Nritya Shakti, she has shared her expertise worldwide. Her presence at the Rangeela event was highly anticipated, and she did not disappoint.
The event kicked off a dynamic dance workshop to the song “O’Sajna” choreographed by Shakti herself, led by Priyank Thakker the founder of Naach Chicago. He guided participants through a variety of techniques and steps, offering invaluable insights and training to dancers at different levels of experience. It was an exciting opportunity for local dancers to not only improve their skills but also to explore a choreography created by Shakti herself.
Following the workshops, attendees were treated to a special meet and-greet with Shakti, where they had the rare opportunity to connect with her on a personal level. During the Q&A session, Shakti shared her inspiring journey as a dancer, discussing the dedication and hard work that have fueled her career. She offered valuable advice for aspiring dancers, emphasizing the importance of perseverance, creativity, and maintaining a strong work ethic.
Rangeela Founder and Director, Priyanka Vora, and Rangeela Dance Team Members with Shakti Mohan.
Scholarship winner, Spriha Shukla, performing for Shakti Mohan with workshop instructor Priyank Thakker.
The highlight of the evening was undoubtedly the performance session, where dancers showcased their talents in front of Shakti herself. Dancers had the chance to shine, blending their unique styles with the techniques they had learned throughout the evening. In a particularly memorable moment, Shakti selected one outstanding dancer, Spriha Shukla, to receive a scholarship to train at her prestigious Nritya Shakti academy in Mumbai. This incredible opportunity will allow Supriya to develop their skills further under the direct mentorship of Shakti and her team in India. After the event Spriha shared “it was an absolute honor to meet Shakti Mohan in Seattle and learn her choreograph, it was such a fangirl moment. Thank you Rangeela and Priyanka Vora for this amazing opportunity. So humbled and honored to receive the Nritya Shakti scholarship. See you soon Mumbai!!”
The event was a resounding success, bringing together the Seattle dance community in a celebration of creativity, talent, and passion. Rangeela Dance Company is proud to have hosted such a remarkable experience, one that left a lasting impact on all who attended. Rangeela extends our heartfelt gratitude to Shakti, Priyank Thakker, and all the participants for making this event truly unforgettable. Stay tuned for more exciting events and workshops from Rangeela Dance Company as we continue to bring the world of dance to our vibrant community!
At the Seattle Mariners game against the Houston Astros, fans were treated to more than just an exciting baseball match. As part of Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the pre-game show featured a performance by Rangeela Dance Company (RDC), who graced the stadium with a burst of cultural flair. Dressed in traditional attire, the dancers brought the spirit of South Asia to T-Mobile Park with their energetic performance set to the beats of songs including “Naatu Naatu” from the Oscar-winning film, RRR.
The performers also had the pleasure to meet U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy, who threw the opening pitch of the game. During their time with Dr. Murthy, the team learned he has a background as a bhangra dancer from his college days, sparking a fun moment of connection over their mutual love for dance.
Rangeela Dance Company meeting U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy.
Rangeela Dance Company performing at T-Mobile Stadium for Asian American Native Hawaiian
Pacific Islander Heritage Month.
While the performance added an extra layer of excitement to the Mariners victory over the Astros, it was not just about entertainment. Rangeela’s performance was a tribute to the tapestry of cultures that make up the AANHPI community. Dancer Sarthak Sharma shared that “it’s been a dream of mine to represent my culture on a grand stage, and I couldn’t have asked for a better group to do so with than my RDC family”. Through their mesmerizing choreography, the dancers showcased the beauty of South Asian dance forms, inviting fans to join in a celebration of heritage and identity.
“I’m so proud of my entire team at Rangeela Dance Company for putting on such a fantastic show. Thank you to the Seattle Mariners for inviting us and giving us an opportunity of a lifetime.”
Last week marked a momentous occasion in the world of entertainment as Netflix unveiled its highly anticipated TV series, “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,” accompanied by a star-studded premiere that left audiences spellbound. Among the premiere attendees were Priyanka J. Vora, founder & director ofRangeela Dance Company (RDC), as well as actor and RDC dancer, Nishant Ghan, who were eager to witness the intersection of art and storytelling on display in Los Angeles.
During the premiere, attendees participated in a Q&A session with the director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, moderated by Lilly Singh. Bhansali shared insightsinto his creative process and the themes that inspired Heeramandi. As he spoke of the importance of following one’s creative instincts and staying true to one’s vision, it struck a chord with the Rangeela team, whose own work is guided by a similar ethos. Ghan commented “the event was just as grand as Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s films are. And when the collaboration is between him and Netflix, it was like Bollywood was given a grand welcome by Hollywood.”
For Rangeela Dance Company, the vision is clear: to create art that not only entertains but also inspires and moves audiences on a deep emotional level. Like the director of Heeramandi, who aimed to revive the vibrancy and intricacy of a historical era, Rangeela works to capture the essence of various cultures and traditions through the art of dance which can be seen in their Jhume Ri Gori Video, created by our RDC Director and inspired by Mr. Bhansali’s work in “Gangubai Kathiawadi.” Vora commented, “it was incredibly inspiring to hear Mr. Bhansali speak about his struggle with calling it quits during the grueling editing process for Heeramandi. This resonated with me so well as I, too, get deeply involved in every detail of my productions and it can be hard to take a step back and realize that the project is finally ready for the world to see. Mr. Bhansali has inspired me to always dream big with all my aspects of my creative work.”
At the premiere, Vora and Ghan also had the opportunity to meet Tesher, whose music they have covered extensively in their performances. They discussed how evergreen Tesher’s “Jalebi Baby” has been, as it continues to be the top choice request by wedding clients for Sangeet choreography. Thismoment highlighted the power of music and art to bring people together.
Other notable appearance at the premiere was Sharmin Segal, Mr. Bhansali’s niece and one of the actresses in Heeramandi.
As Heeramandi continues to captivate audiences around the world, it serves as a reminder of the transformative power of storytelling and the universal language of emotion. For Rangeela Dance Company, it is a testament to the enduring legacy of artists who follow their creative instincts and share their vision with the world.
Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in dance education but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Priyanka Vora, Founder of Rangeela Dance Company, located in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
What’s your business, and who are your customers?
Rangeela Dance Company (RDC) is one of the nation’s leading South Asian dance companies. I founded RDC in 2016; I am a trained classical Indian dancer and Bollywood dance choreographer. RDC is based in Seattle and Los Angeles but provides dance services globally. Our mission is to cultivate a community that celebrates and shares South Asian culture through the form of Indian dance. We were the first full-service Bollywood dance company to exist in the Pacific Northwest and have been recognized by prestigious platforms such as the Smithsonian Institute.
Rangeela’s vision is to make dance accessible to all individuals. We provide group and private dance classes for adults and kids, performing & visual arts for special events, and private choreography services for special events such as weddings. Our talented group of instructors and dancers have professional expertise in a variety of styles ranging from Bollywood, Bhangra, Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kuchipudi, Kuthu, Semi-Classical, Hip-Hop, Contemporary, Garba, and more.
Tell us about yourself
I am the founder and director of Rangeela. I am a Bollywood fusion dance choreographer, originally from Boston, MA, where I trained classically in Bharatnatyam and completed the prestigious dance graduation, Arangetram, at age 16. I developed a passion not only for classical Indian dance but also for Bollywood, Semi-Classical, Folk, Garba, Modern dance, and wedding/special events choreography. I have a special interest in directing and producing high-scale video features and live stage performances and lead RDC’s vision behind these productions. My experience as Captain of my competitive South Asian Fusion dance team in college, where I organized and choreographed several dance charity showcases and judged national dance competitions, has led me to have the skills to start my own venture. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy (Board-Certified Specialist in Pelvic & Women’s Health) and certified group fitness instructor, I promote preventative health, wellness, and the arts in the community. After moving to Seattle in 2016, I founded Rangeela Dance Company to continue my passion for dancing, teaching, choreographing, and performing with the aim of spreading awareness about the vibrant Indian culture.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is knowing that I have happy instructors, dancers, students, and clients who are making their dance dreams come true through Rangeela. I also am so proud of RDC for sticking true to our mission of preserving and sharing our rich Indian culture.
What’s one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
The hardest thing about being a business owner is balancing the company’s financial constraints with making our dance dreams come true.
What are the top tips you’d give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
Never give up, don’t be afraid to ask for help, and dream big.
Rangeela Dance Company is a full-service Bollywood dance company founded by Priyanka Jain Vara, a trained classical Indian dancer and Bollywood dance choreographer.
Their mission is to celebrate South Asian culture through dance and make dance available to everyone through their classes. In addition to learning to dance, you can hire Rangeela Dance Company to do one of their performances or create a custom performance for your event. If you opt for a class, you can choose an in-person, virtual, and outdoor dance workshop, and be welcome regardless of age and dance level.
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