Devika Dhawan – Founder/Director
Devika has been training in dance for 20 years with a background in Hip Hop, Bollywood, and Indian Classical. She trained in Bharatnatyam at the Triveni School of Dance under the instruction of Smt. Neena Gulati for 11 years. In college, she was a dancer on, and later captain of, Boston University Chankaar, the university's premiere South Asian dance troupe. Post graduation, she trained and performed with the Urban Connection Dance Company in Boston. Currently, she is a dance instructor, event and wedding choreographer, and full-time Director of DFD Academy.
Pari Amin – Instructor
Pari has been dancing since she was five years old starting with Bollywood dances at family weddings and events. Throughout the years, dance was always a part of her schedule as routine. In grade school, she competed in Fogana – a Garba competition in the New England area and danced on a Hip Hop/ Step team for four years in high school and college. Pari also joined and captained a Garba/Raas team while in college. As she stepped into the post-undergrad world, she wanted to continue dancing and is now on a Boston-based, all-ladies team called Nazar Bollywood Dance Troupe.
Prerana Patil – Instructor
Prerana is an experienced dancer and performer in Indian Classical and Folk dance styles. She began her journey in dance at the age of five learning Bharatanatyam at the Eastern Rhythms School of Dance under the guidance of Smt. Ranjani Saigal. While training in Bharatanatyam, she learned ballet for 3 years at the Planet Dance Studio. Currently a student at Boston University pursing math and computer science, Prerana is a member of and serves as the Vice President for the Boston University Bhangra team.
Devam Dhawan – Production Specialist
Devam is a Film and Television major at Boston University with extensive experience in performing arts. In high school, he was a part of the North Andover High School Marching Band for four years along with the reputable Spartan's Drum Corp. In 2016 he was selected as a member of the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band to perform at the elite U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He continued his passion for the performing arts in college through his leadership in Boston University's Bhangra Team, where he currently serves as the Co-President.
Kiran Dhawan – Production Designer
Skilled in handicraft, design, and needlework, Kiran brings the vision to life at DFD. Kiran has been a part of dance and theater since she was in grade school. Her background is in education where as a high school teacher she directed many student plays. She was trained in Hindustani classical music at a young age and also participated in Indian folk dance shows and competitions. Kiran holds a double masters, in Linguistics and Hindi, is a part-time aesthetician in North Andover, MA, and a devoted mother of two.