Devi Bollywood Dance Presents
Shakti: A Bollywood Dance Showcase
Date: Saturday, October 7th, 2017
Time: 7:00pm (Doors will open 6:00pm, with a cash bar before and after the show)
Location: Shea’s Smith Theater, 658 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202
Sorry,online ticket purchase is closed. A limited amount of tickets are still available and can be purchased at the door.
Price: $25
Meet the Performers
Cortney Costanzo
Cortney has been and is currently involved in many organized performance groups throughout the Western New York region. She’s been given the honor to sing and dance at many different venues throughout Western New York and even the country. The Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls New York for Grammy nominated artist Christina Custode’s CD release party, Downtown Disney with the Lewiston Choraleers, at The White House for their holiday tours in 2013, Carnegie Hall with Harmonia, and The Adam’s Mark Hotel for Jim Kelly’s Kelly for Kids Fundraiser are just a few of the wonderful places she’s performed. This past year she hosted and starred in her very own variety show called Buffalove Revue where she collaborated with many local dancers and singers. She is a current vocalist in The Lewiston Choraleers and the Uptown Seven Band featuring Steve Balesteri. Her previous associations include Harmonia Chamber Singers and The Foxy Diamondz, a professional dance company based in Buffalo. As the captain of the dance company, she was a vital member often contributing song choice, choreography and dancer placement. Cortney’s dance training started at a young age and continues to this day. She is on the board of advisors for Dance Days of Buffalo, a local three day dance festival and can be found taking various styles of dance in and around Buffalo. Other dance associations she’s trained and performed with throughout Buffalo is Free Soul Dance and Buffalo Aerial Dance. She is a current dance instructor at Adell’s School of Dance in Niagara Falls and a movement coach for Matt’s Music Performance Team in North Tonawanda. Being able to blend music and dance has always been one of her passions and she’s so grateful she’s been given the opportunities in her life to do just this and is excited to pass on the knowledge she has gained.
Cortney has been and is currently involved in many organized performance groups throughout the Western New York region. She’s been given the honor to sing and dance at many different venues throughout Western New York and even the country. The Hard Rock Café in Niagara Falls New York for Grammy nominated artist Christina Custode’s CD release party, Downtown Disney with the Lewiston Choraleers, at The White House for their holiday tours in 2013, Carnegie Hall with Harmonia, and The Adam’s Mark Hotel for Jim Kelly’s Kelly for Kids Fundraiser are just a few of the wonderful places she’s performed. This past year she hosted and starred in her very own variety show called Buffalove Revue where she collaborated with many local dancers and singers. She is a current vocalist in The Lewiston Choraleers and the Uptown Seven Band featuring Steve Balesteri. Her previous associations include Harmonia Chamber Singers and The Foxy Diamondz, a professional dance company based in Buffalo. As the captain of the dance company, she was a vital member often contributing song choice, choreography and dancer placement. Cortney’s dance training started at a young age and continues to this day. She is on the board of advisors for Dance Days of Buffalo, a local three day dance festival and can be found taking various styles of dance in and around Buffalo. Other dance associations she’s trained and performed with throughout Buffalo is Free Soul Dance and Buffalo Aerial Dance. She is a current dance instructor at Adell’s School of Dance in Niagara Falls and a movement coach for Matt’s Music Performance Team in North Tonawanda. Being able to blend music and dance has always been one of her passions and she’s so grateful she’s been given the opportunities in her life to do just this and is excited to pass on the knowledge she has gained.
Tonya Davis
Tonya’s previous performance experience began in vocal music. She sang for four years in the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Chorale and Cantori during which she had the opportunity to perform in tours to Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. After college, she sang with the Orchard Park Chorale and the Buffalo Choral Arts Society. In 2010, Tonya discovered bellydance when she began taking classes and performing as a student of The Bellydance Academy. She was a member of The Fleuron Rouge Bellydance troupe and performed at events and festivals throughout Western New York. She continues to study bellydance and has taken workshops from celebrated performers such as Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes and many others. In 2014, Tonya began taking Bollywood classes from Gaitrie at Devi Bollywood Dance and also fell in love with this dance form. She is happy to be a member of the Bollywood Mastanis and is always looking forward to the next performance.
Tonya’s previous performance experience began in vocal music. She sang for four years in the Hobart and William Smith Colleges Chorale and Cantori during which she had the opportunity to perform in tours to Boston, New York City, and Washington, D.C. After college, she sang with the Orchard Park Chorale and the Buffalo Choral Arts Society. In 2010, Tonya discovered bellydance when she began taking classes and performing as a student of The Bellydance Academy. She was a member of The Fleuron Rouge Bellydance troupe and performed at events and festivals throughout Western New York. She continues to study bellydance and has taken workshops from celebrated performers such as Jill Parker, Zoe Jakes and many others. In 2014, Tonya began taking Bollywood classes from Gaitrie at Devi Bollywood Dance and also fell in love with this dance form. She is happy to be a member of the Bollywood Mastanis and is always looking forward to the next performance.
Diana Miranda-Gaeddert
Diana’s dance journey started in January of 2004 when she took her first belly dance class. For a year and a half, she attended Egyptian-style belly dance classes. In the fall of 2005, she discovered American Tribal Style® BellyDance (ATS®). While attending classes locally, Diana traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in November of 2008, where she studied under her mentor and the creator of ATS®, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman of FatChanceBellyDance®. While there, she became a certified ATS® instructor, as well as a FatChanceBellyDance® Sister Studio. Diana attends classes locally, including Bollywood and semi-classical Indian dance with Gaitrie Devi of Devi Bollywood Dance. She travels throughout the year to San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario, and other parts of the country to take workshops and study with Carolena. Diana is the founder and director of the American Tribal Style® BellyDance troupe, Relativity BellyDance. She and her troupe perform through out the Western New York area and beyond.
Diana’s dance journey started in January of 2004 when she took her first belly dance class. For a year and a half, she attended Egyptian-style belly dance classes. In the fall of 2005, she discovered American Tribal Style® BellyDance (ATS®). While attending classes locally, Diana traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in November of 2008, where she studied under her mentor and the creator of ATS®, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman of FatChanceBellyDance®. While there, she became a certified ATS® instructor, as well as a FatChanceBellyDance® Sister Studio. Diana attends classes locally, including Bollywood and semi-classical Indian dance with Gaitrie Devi of Devi Bollywood Dance. She travels throughout the year to San Francisco, Seattle, Ontario, and other parts of the country to take workshops and study with Carolena. Diana is the founder and director of the American Tribal Style® BellyDance troupe, Relativity BellyDance. She and her troupe perform through out the Western New York area and beyond.
Sujata Martin
With a strong foundation of classical Bharatnatyam training and growing up dancing to Bollywood and Indian folk dance styles of Bhangra & Garba, Sujata is an integral part of the Devi Bollywood Dance troupe.An Occupational Therapist by profession, Sujata has a newfound love of Argentine Tango, and is actively involved in the Buffalo Tango community. She brings her lively spirit and “Abhinaya” – theBharatnatyam artiste’s skill of expressing feeling & emotions, to draw the audience in to each performance.
With a strong foundation of classical Bharatnatyam training and growing up dancing to Bollywood and Indian folk dance styles of Bhangra & Garba, Sujata is an integral part of the Devi Bollywood Dance troupe.An Occupational Therapist by profession, Sujata has a newfound love of Argentine Tango, and is actively involved in the Buffalo Tango community. She brings her lively spirit and “Abhinaya” – theBharatnatyam artiste’s skill of expressing feeling & emotions, to draw the audience in to each performance.
Naryan Padmanabha
With a musical career spanning 25 years and almost 15 albums, Naryan Padmanabha is continuously refining his sound as an innovative, fusion sitar performer. He has been booked alongside with the likes of Buffalo Philharmonic, String Cheese Incident, Bernie Worrell, Fareed Haque, Garaj Mahal, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Steve Kimock, Andre Manga, Max Creek, Rob Wasserman, Toubab Krewe, The Heavy Pets, Consider the Source, Melvin Seals and JGB, and Family FUNKtion and the Sitar Jams. He has also recorded with the world renowned North Indian Classical vocalists V.J. Kichlu and South Indian percussionist T.S. Nandakumar. He is widely considered the go-to sitarist of Western New York, and continues to please audiences with his ability to bust out world groove beats, chill melodies and slammin’ improve solos!
With a musical career spanning 25 years and almost 15 albums, Naryan Padmanabha is continuously refining his sound as an innovative, fusion sitar performer. He has been booked alongside with the likes of Buffalo Philharmonic, String Cheese Incident, Bernie Worrell, Fareed Haque, Garaj Mahal, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Steve Kimock, Andre Manga, Max Creek, Rob Wasserman, Toubab Krewe, The Heavy Pets, Consider the Source, Melvin Seals and JGB, and Family FUNKtion and the Sitar Jams. He has also recorded with the world renowned North Indian Classical vocalists V.J. Kichlu and South Indian percussionist T.S. Nandakumar. He is widely considered the go-to sitarist of Western New York, and continues to please audiences with his ability to bust out world groove beats, chill melodies and slammin’ improve solos!
Natasha Perkins
Dancer, choreographer, teacher, community artist; Natasha began her dance journey and training taking master classes and workshops with Garth Fagan, The Urban Bush Women and Forces of Nature Dance Company. While attending Buffalo State College, Natasha earned her Minor in Performing Arts; performed and toured for the Buffalo State
College Dance Theater Department. As a full scholarship recipient for the American Dance Festival (ADF), she performed with noted choreographers Ronald K. Brown and Paul Taylor while also being trained by Master Teacher Cornelius Carter. Natasha has appeared several times in the Jazz World Dance Congress and International Dance Festival (NYC). Her professional dance career includes dance and instruction with Janet Reed and Dancers and Buffalo City Ballet. Based in Buffalo, N.Y., Natasha’s Love for the Art of Dance formed her own company “La Mezcla Dance”; solo
and collaborative work presented in festivals and venues in the United States. Currently, Natasha performs with various individual choreographers and companies in Buffalo, N.Y
Dancer, choreographer, teacher, community artist; Natasha began her dance journey and training taking master classes and workshops with Garth Fagan, The Urban Bush Women and Forces of Nature Dance Company. While attending Buffalo State College, Natasha earned her Minor in Performing Arts; performed and toured for the Buffalo State
College Dance Theater Department. As a full scholarship recipient for the American Dance Festival (ADF), she performed with noted choreographers Ronald K. Brown and Paul Taylor while also being trained by Master Teacher Cornelius Carter. Natasha has appeared several times in the Jazz World Dance Congress and International Dance Festival (NYC). Her professional dance career includes dance and instruction with Janet Reed and Dancers and Buffalo City Ballet. Based in Buffalo, N.Y., Natasha’s Love for the Art of Dance formed her own company “La Mezcla Dance”; solo
and collaborative work presented in festivals and venues in the United States. Currently, Natasha performs with various individual choreographers and companies in Buffalo, N.Y
Holli Simme
Dancer, Choreographer, and Instructor, Holli began her dance journey at the age of three at Barb Denny’s Studio of Dance Arts. She studied various styles including: tap, jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. Holli was also an active member in music and theater growing up. Through middle and high school, she was a part of band, choir, and musicals inside and outside of school. After graduating Lancaster High School, Holli continued her education in dance and was accepted into University at Buffalo’s prestigious Dance Program. She graduated in May 2014 with her BFA in Dance. While in school she was fortunate to learn much from her professors and took residencies and master classes such as Lehrerdance, Limon Dance Company, Pilobolus, River North Dance Chicago, and Doug Varone and Dancers. She was also a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company and Zodiaque Dance Ensemble. Along with dance performances, Holli has recently done theater, performing with local companies Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Torn Space Theater. She is a former member of Foxy Diamondz and occasionally performs with The Bird’s Nest Circus Arts. Holli is a dance instructor at Barb Denny’s and Tonawanda Dance Arts. She also works at the Jewish Community Center, teaching an after school flash mob dance class called Kids “J” Mob. Holli is excited to be performing with Devi Bollywood Dance and can’t wait to share her passion with others.
Dancer, Choreographer, and Instructor, Holli began her dance journey at the age of three at Barb Denny’s Studio of Dance Arts. She studied various styles including: tap, jazz, ballet, modern, contemporary, hip hop, and musical theater. Holli was also an active member in music and theater growing up. Through middle and high school, she was a part of band, choir, and musicals inside and outside of school. After graduating Lancaster High School, Holli continued her education in dance and was accepted into University at Buffalo’s prestigious Dance Program. She graduated in May 2014 with her BFA in Dance. While in school she was fortunate to learn much from her professors and took residencies and master classes such as Lehrerdance, Limon Dance Company, Pilobolus, River North Dance Chicago, and Doug Varone and Dancers. She was also a member of the Zodiaque Dance Company and Zodiaque Dance Ensemble. Along with dance performances, Holli has recently done theater, performing with local companies Shakespeare in Delaware Park and Torn Space Theater. She is a former member of Foxy Diamondz and occasionally performs with The Bird’s Nest Circus Arts. Holli is a dance instructor at Barb Denny’s and Tonawanda Dance Arts. She also works at the Jewish Community Center, teaching an after school flash mob dance class called Kids “J” Mob. Holli is excited to be performing with Devi Bollywood Dance and can’t wait to share her passion with others.
Gaitrie Subryan
Bollywood Performer, Instructor, and Choreographer, Gaitrie’s journey into Bollywood dance began the moment she set eyes on her favorite Bollywood actress, Madhuri Dixit; yet she only had the opportunity to be in the dance studio during most of her adult life. While in college she choreographed for a number of student-run organizations for events and performances. After graduating from the University at Buffalo in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Communication, she joined a New York City based Bollywood dance school, Bollywood Axion. She started by just taking classes under the Artistic direction of Pooja Narang. Gaitrie, auditioned and joined Pooja’s performing troupe there she performed at events and shows all across NYC, including dancing at the Crossroads in Time Square, was a dance extra in a Bollywood Movie; Hastey Hastey, performance at South Street Seaport Holi celebration, Bollywood Hero Flash Mob and many more. Thanks to Pooja, Gaitrie recently had a very rare opportunity to take a workshop with legendary Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan in June 2016. In 2009, Gaitrie joined The Sa Dance Company, under the artistic vision and ClassPass CEO, Payal Kadakia. The Sa Dance Company showcased a three day premiere at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in 2010, one of Sa’s largest and sold out performances. The Sa Dance Company has performed at Nanubhai, MIACC, Rubin Museum, they have performed for Indian Film Director Mira Nair as well as many other events. Payal has a unique style of her own and showcases the art of Indian dance on many interesting levels. Through dance Payal she has shown Gaitrie how to manage a performing troupe, be an entrepreneur as well as a role model to others who have a zest and passion for the arts. In 2012 Gaitrie moved from NYC to Buffalo. She took what learned from both Pooja and Payal and founded Devi Bollywood Dance. To Gaitrie dance is not just about teaching dance, it is about building a community, sharing traditions and culture. Gaitrie has steady training of Indian classical dance; Bharatanatyam, Bollywood, Folk and Garba. She explores western dance forms through classes and workshops and loves to try all types of dance styles from across the globe. Gaitrie has trained in Bikram and Vinyasa Yoga and completed her 200hr Yoga Certification in October 2015 through East Meets West Yoga in Buffalo, NY.
Bollywood Performer, Instructor, and Choreographer, Gaitrie’s journey into Bollywood dance began the moment she set eyes on her favorite Bollywood actress, Madhuri Dixit; yet she only had the opportunity to be in the dance studio during most of her adult life. While in college she choreographed for a number of student-run organizations for events and performances. After graduating from the University at Buffalo in 2006 with a BA in Psychology and Communication, she joined a New York City based Bollywood dance school, Bollywood Axion. She started by just taking classes under the Artistic direction of Pooja Narang. Gaitrie, auditioned and joined Pooja’s performing troupe there she performed at events and shows all across NYC, including dancing at the Crossroads in Time Square, was a dance extra in a Bollywood Movie; Hastey Hastey, performance at South Street Seaport Holi celebration, Bollywood Hero Flash Mob and many more. Thanks to Pooja, Gaitrie recently had a very rare opportunity to take a workshop with legendary Bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan in June 2016. In 2009, Gaitrie joined The Sa Dance Company, under the artistic vision and ClassPass CEO, Payal Kadakia. The Sa Dance Company showcased a three day premiere at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in 2010, one of Sa’s largest and sold out performances. The Sa Dance Company has performed at Nanubhai, MIACC, Rubin Museum, they have performed for Indian Film Director Mira Nair as well as many other events. Payal has a unique style of her own and showcases the art of Indian dance on many interesting levels. Through dance Payal she has shown Gaitrie how to manage a performing troupe, be an entrepreneur as well as a role model to others who have a zest and passion for the arts. In 2012 Gaitrie moved from NYC to Buffalo. She took what learned from both Pooja and Payal and founded Devi Bollywood Dance. To Gaitrie dance is not just about teaching dance, it is about building a community, sharing traditions and culture. Gaitrie has steady training of Indian classical dance; Bharatanatyam, Bollywood, Folk and Garba. She explores western dance forms through classes and workshops and loves to try all types of dance styles from across the globe. Gaitrie has trained in Bikram and Vinyasa Yoga and completed her 200hr Yoga Certification in October 2015 through East Meets West Yoga in Buffalo, NY.
Krystal Wildman
Born and raised in Buffalo and has been training in various styles of dance from a young age. She started at a small studio in Hamburg learning Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. She then transferred to Performing Arts and expanded her knowledge and love for performing. She auditioned and has been performing with a local dance company, the Foxy Diamondz for 2 years where she had the pleasure of performing in the Worlds Largest Disco, the Witches Ball, Erie County Fair and many more. When not in the studio, Krystal works at a local bank. She has taught dance classes over the years to children (Jazz to 9-12 year olds). Krystal takes different classes around the city, exploring aerial dance classes at Buffalo aerial dance and she has been trying out new forms of dance classes.
Born and raised in Buffalo and has been training in various styles of dance from a young age. She started at a small studio in Hamburg learning Jazz, Ballet, Tap, Contemporary, and Hip Hop. She then transferred to Performing Arts and expanded her knowledge and love for performing. She auditioned and has been performing with a local dance company, the Foxy Diamondz for 2 years where she had the pleasure of performing in the Worlds Largest Disco, the Witches Ball, Erie County Fair and many more. When not in the studio, Krystal works at a local bank. She has taught dance classes over the years to children (Jazz to 9-12 year olds). Krystal takes different classes around the city, exploring aerial dance classes at Buffalo aerial dance and she has been trying out new forms of dance classes.
Relativity Bellydance
Relativity Bellydance is an American Tribal Style® BellyDance (ATS®) troupe based in Buffalo, NY. They creates an improvisational choreography by using a specific vocabulary of moves, ques, and transitions. Every performance is one of a kind! This unique form of dance style is heavily influenced by world dances that include Spanish Flamenco, North African, Middle-Eastern dances, and dances from India. Relativity BellyDance often incorporates props into their performances that may include sword, veil, fans, and baskets. And they always play their finger cymbals, an integral part of the style.
Relativity BellyDance was founded by Diana Miranda-Gaeddert, A FatChance BellyDance® Sister Studio. The troupe travels extensively to study with the creator of ATS®, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman.
To learn more about ATS®, please visit www.fcbd.com
Relativity Bellydance is an American Tribal Style® BellyDance (ATS®) troupe based in Buffalo, NY. They creates an improvisational choreography by using a specific vocabulary of moves, ques, and transitions. Every performance is one of a kind! This unique form of dance style is heavily influenced by world dances that include Spanish Flamenco, North African, Middle-Eastern dances, and dances from India. Relativity BellyDance often incorporates props into their performances that may include sword, veil, fans, and baskets. And they always play their finger cymbals, an integral part of the style.
Relativity BellyDance was founded by Diana Miranda-Gaeddert, A FatChance BellyDance® Sister Studio. The troupe travels extensively to study with the creator of ATS®, Carolena Nericcio-Bohlman.
To learn more about ATS®, please visit www.fcbd.com
Musicality Central
Musicality Central is an adult hip hop dance studio that focuses on creating an interactive,welcoming experience conducive to learning the fundamentals of hip hop in the past and what hip hop is today. It was founded on April 15th, 2016 by Rishone Todd and Susie Kushner as an outlet for two instructors to share their passion for movement. Their progressive approach to fitness and dance makes the programs they offer appealing to any and everyone. With each class, you can expect to learn some new dance moves, laugh at their goofy moments, get an effective workout, and most of all, feel comfortable being your true self. As they believe that anyone can learn hip hop in the right atmosphere.
Musicality Central is an adult hip hop dance studio that focuses on creating an interactive,welcoming experience conducive to learning the fundamentals of hip hop in the past and what hip hop is today. It was founded on April 15th, 2016 by Rishone Todd and Susie Kushner as an outlet for two instructors to share their passion for movement. Their progressive approach to fitness and dance makes the programs they offer appealing to any and everyone. With each class, you can expect to learn some new dance moves, laugh at their goofy moments, get an effective workout, and most of all, feel comfortable being your true self. As they believe that anyone can learn hip hop in the right atmosphere.
Their piece is a compilation of a few select numbers that were taught in their choreography classes and it is being performed by the founders and two of their students(Corrine Jackson and Kelsey Anderson).” Enjoy!
Ekaterina Klepikova & Tali Lopez of Movement 716
“Argentine Tango is a partner dance that developed over the last century in Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires. It is very different from the Tango in International and American ballroom dancing. Argentine Tango is an interpretive, improvisational social dance that allows the dancers to develop a deep connection between themselves, the music, and the environment in which they are dancing.
Ekaterina Klepikova and Tali Lopez are Argentine tango instructors at TangoSphere, Buffalo’s first official school dedicated to promote and preserve the Art of Argentine Tango the way it is seen, danced and taught in Buenos Aires. TangoSphere offers weekly group classes for all levels and weekly practice sessions, social dance nights, special workshops and more. For more info: katyatango.com
“Argentine Tango is a partner dance that developed over the last century in Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires. It is very different from the Tango in International and American ballroom dancing. Argentine Tango is an interpretive, improvisational social dance that allows the dancers to develop a deep connection between themselves, the music, and the environment in which they are dancing.
Ekaterina Klepikova and Tali Lopez are Argentine tango instructors at TangoSphere, Buffalo’s first official school dedicated to promote and preserve the Art of Argentine Tango the way it is seen, danced and taught in Buenos Aires. TangoSphere offers weekly group classes for all levels and weekly practice sessions, social dance nights, special workshops and more. For more info: katyatango.com
Our Supporters
Thank you to our friends at Living in the Buff Studio. They will be providing photography and video for our showcase.
