“ Dance is Our Passion, Our Culture, Our Life “
About Natraj Center For The Performing Arts
Our Story
The Natraj Center for the Performing Arts, a non-for-profit organization, traces its origins to the renowned Natraj Cultural Group, which was founded in 1989 by a group of mothers led by Barbara Lemoine whose initial objective was to support a group of young dancers to perform innovative and creative dances. Today, Natraj proudly continues to provide a forum where our youths can hone their talents and nurture their creativity both collectively and as individuals. These young artistes share their knowledge of their rich Indian culture and heritage with other youths of the community through classes and workshops in dance, drama and music. Natraj currently conducts regular dance classes in Queens Village, NY.
Throughout the years, Natraj has assisted, and continues to assist, many cultural and religious organizations in their efforts to promote cultural awareness and respect through professional performances at various social functions, fundraisers and cultural events such as the Bollywood Awards in Atlantic City and the Hari Om Sharan Farewell Concert in New York City. Through such work, Natraj has forged strong working relationships with such philanthropic organizations as the Nirvana Humanitarian Foundation and the Guyana Youth Corp. Garnering international recognition, Natraj conducted annual dance workshops in Jamaica, W.I. and has performed in Canada, Guyana, Trinidad and Jamaica.
Respected professionals in the Indian Classical Dance tradition have classically trained all Natraj teachers and senior performers; their expertise include Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, and folk dances, as well as the more popular Bollywood film and pop genres. Natraj prides itself in its ability to fuse modern innovations in dance with old-world grace and dignity, all the while maintaining reverence for the legacy passed on by Indian artistes for centuries. This is what has empowered Natraj to set - and continually raise - the standard for excellence in our dance community.
“ Dance is Our Passion, Our Culture – Our Life “
Meet Our Teachers
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
Founder - Barbara Lemoine
"I was inspired to found an Indian dance school by my deep-rooted passion for the arts and a profound appreciation for the beauty of Indian culture. Growing up, I witnessed the transformative power of dance in my own life, and I wanted to create a space where others could experience the same joy and connection to their heritage. By establishing this school, I aim to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Indian dance, fostering cultural understanding and personal growth. I believe that through dance, we can not only celebrate our differences but also discover our shared humanity, uniting us in a colorful tapestry of cultural expression."
Senior Teacher - Katherine Ann Ramsingh Rachiele
-Member of the Natraj Aneikas
"Yatho Hasta thatho Drishti, Yatho Drishti thatho Manah
Yatho Manah thatho Bhaava, Yatho Bhaava thatho Rasa”
Where the hands (hasta) are, go the eyes (drishti); where the eyes are, goes the mind (manah); where the mind goes, there is an expression of inner feeling (bhaava) and where there is bhaava, mood or sentiment (rasa) is evoked.
- Natyashatra
Senior Teacher - Stephanie Budhu Beepat
Member of the Natraj Apsaras
"Indian classical dance is sustained by a profound philosophy. Form seeks to merge with the formless, motions seek to become a part of the motionless, and the dancing individual seeks to become one with the eternal dance of the cosmos" ~Nita Ambani
Senior Teacher - Cheril Lall
-Apart of the Natraj Sapnas
"Million Ways to reach God, I chose to dance. Speak to him and tell him about his beauty. The adorable face of his that makes me feel alive today. The beautiful connection between my soul and his soul. He gifted me a bright smile which is shown through dance" ~ Laavanya Ghosh
Senior Teacher - Karishma Deonarain Bhoj
Member of the Natraj Aneikas
My passion for dance grew up with me here at NCPA. We fostered a family, all bound by our mutual respect & love for the arts. My greatest joy is sharing my skill and knowledge with the generations to come. The stage is my home, happy place, and ultimate release.
Teacher - Ashlee Bisnauth
Member of the Natraj Sundaries
"An inhibited mind and body cannot bring out the expressive abandon of dance. Besides finding your feet, you also should find voice and vision "
- Kumundi Lakhai
Teacher - Anusha Ramjnam
Member of the Natraj Sundaries
“To Love yourself is a never-ending journey”
- Oprah Winfrey
Teacher - Manisha Boodhoo
Member of the Natraj Sundaries
"The only way to get what you want in this world is through hard work"
-Princess Tiana ~ The Princess and The Frog
Teacher - Chandini Tetri Boodhoo
Member of the Natraj Xarias
“The dancer’s body is simply the luminous manifestation of the soul” -Isadora Duncan, American classical contemporary dancer
Teacher - Kamille Shivwkumar
Member of the Natraj Xarias
"Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breaths away" ~ Maya Angelou
Teacher - Amanda Singh
Member of the Natraj Xarias
"We dance for laughter
We dance for tears,
We dance for madness,
We dance for fears,
we dance for hopes,
We dance for screams,
We are the dancers,
We create the Dreams"
~ Albert Einsterin
Teacher - Nakita Singh
-Member of the Natraj Kalyan's
“Dance is the hidden language of the soul.”
-Martha Graham
Teacher - Ronita Singh
-Apart of the Natraj Sundaries
"Dance is a language, expressing that for which we have no words"
-Jennifer De Leon
Teacher - Jasmine Kuldip
-Apart of the Natraj Xarias
Since 2005, I have been dancing at Natraj Center For the Performing Arts, where I've forged numerous friendships and cultivated my creativity and self-expression.
" We can not always choose the music life plays for us, but we can choose how we dance to it."
-Kate B Jackson