Education producing
From October 2018 to March 2022 we worked in partnership with National Portfolio Organisation Aakash Odedra Company (AOC) as their Education Producers. Based in the heart of Leicester with two studios, we work out of their arts hub to foster partnerships and programmes that encourage creative dance opportunities for participants in locally, nationally and internationally. We are very proud to have led the development of a number of new programmes within AOC, some of which are listed below.
Education programmes
AO2
Aakash Odedra 2 is a unique opportunity for pre-professional dancers to work together as a company and develop as individual artists. Participants meet weekly to take company class with Aakash and our artist friends, developing their technique in kathak and contemporary dance styles, learning rep from past and current works, and creating collaborative choreography for showcases. Participants have the chance to undertake shadowing opportunities in other areas of the company.
Dance & diabetes
Delivered in partnership with Leicester Diabetes Research Centre and previously funded through Awards for All, the Dance and Diabetes project consists of weekly dance activity with one of our Bollywood dance instructors, followed by a 30 minute talk/activity delving into diabetes in more detail. The programme takes place in Belgrave and Oadby, with our aim during phase 4 to reach out to other areas of the East Midlands.
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AOGlobal
This online workshop series moves beyond the existing format of dance teaching online to provide the tools required for artists to stand out in the digital landscape. Spread across ten weeks, the programme is led by a team of four international dance artists: Aakash Odedra (UK), Melissa Ugolini (Italy), Gizem Aksu (Turkey) and Kesha Raithatha (UK). With dancers joining from across the globe to share their learning and experience, the aim is to create a global family of dance professionals in the midst of a worldwide pandemic.
shiamak
One element of our producer role at Aakash Odedra Company was to manage the delivery of Shiamak dance classes across various venues in the the Midlands and London. Our team supported specialist instructors from India who deliver kids, teens and adult classes in a number of styles, as well as supporting the organisation of showcase opportunities to celebrate practical achievements each term. Aakash Odedra Company manage the UK Shiamak branch as part of the worldwide Shiamak brand.
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Interested in the education work within Aakash Odedra Company? Email us: education@aakashodedra.com