Client Testimonials | Noor Dance Academy

FAQs

Check out our answers to the most commonly asked questions below! If you don't see your question, or would like further clarification, please feel free to reach out at info@noordanceacademy.com.

Curriculum

Our Academy has five standard levels of study and two advanced levels. Each level typically takes a minimum of 1.5 years to complete, but can take as long as 3 years. Students move at their own pace and are monitored by Shachi each term to make sure they are placed in the appropriate class. Every student learns differently, and all students go through different phases of development – peaks and valleys in growth and motivation are normal!

Classes have a high level of expectation in terms of discipline and practice. Though it can feel challenging to develop a regular practice routine, students have the most fun when they are prepared for class, feel a sense of achievement, and and are ready to take on new material. We HIGHLY recommend that you find a regular, distraction-free time, before or after school/work to practice every day.

Standard Levels:

Advanced Levels:

Level 6 (Post-Arangetram)

Questions?

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Level 1 Curriculum

Class Commitment

60-min technique class, once per week
15-20 min of daily, focused practice

Movement Technique

Namaskar
Basic positions of arms, legs, and body
Basic exercises
Adavus (Tatta, Naata, Kuditta-meti, Teermaana (tripataaka & back), Tati-meti)
Hastas (Asamyuta, Samyuta)

Theory

Origins of Bharathanatyam
Members of the Carnatic orchestra
Recite 4 invocatory shlokas (Gajananam Bhoota Ganadi, Aangikam Bhuvanam, Guru Mantra, Saraswati Namastubhyam)
Count at 4 speeds with simple clap

Choreography

4 Shlokas

Level 1 Curriculum

Level 2 Curriculum

Class Commitment

60-min technique class, once per week
20-25 min of daily, focused practice
May additionally attend Adavu Practice & Basic Theory classes

Movement Technique

Intermediate exercises
Anga Bhedas
Adavus (Teermaana (pataaka, taa-hata-jhum), Kutta, Sarikal, Etta)
Hastas (Pataaka vinyoga)

Theory

Clapping aadi taalam and counting at 4 speeds
Basic korvai chart
Navarasa
Forms of Indian classical dance
Carnatic vs Hindustani orchestra

Choreography

Beginner Abhinaya piece (Kirtanam, Bhajan, etc)
Invocatory piece (Anjali, Pushpanjali, Kauthuvam, etc)
Alarippu

Level 2 Curriculum

Level 3 Curriculum

Class Commitment

90-min technique class, once per week
Adavu Practice (30 min), minimum once per week
Dance Theory (60 min) once per week
25-30 minutes of daily, focused practice
May attend additional Adavu Practice classes
May audition for Junior Company

Movement Technique

Intermediate exercises & basic yoga
Anga Bhedas
Sharira Upaangas
Adavus (Paichal, Mandi)

Theory

Banis of Bharatanatyam
Renowned dancers and musicians
Items in the Bharatanatyam Maargam
Basics of Sapta-taala system
Aadi taalam korvai recitation with clap

Choreography

Intermediate Nritya piece (Shabdam, Kirtanam, etc)
Jatiswaram
Beginner level Indo-Contemporary piece

Level 3 Curriculum

Level 4 Curriculum

Class Commitment

90-min technique class, once per week
Adavu Practice (30 min), minimum once per week
Dance Theory (60 min) once per week
30-35 minutes of daily, focused practice
May attend additional Adavu Practice classes
May audition for Junior Company

Movement Technique

Strength training & beginner yoga
Mukhaja Upaangas
Adavu combinations & jatis
Intermediate Indo-Contemporary movement

Theory

Basic composition & choreography
Common Bharatanatyam themes (naayikaa preparing, depictions of nature, Hindu pantheon, bhakti)

Choreography

Advanced expressive pieces (Padam, Javali, etc)
Varnam
Thillana
Intermediate Indo-Contemporary piece

Level 4 Curriculum

Level 5 Curriculum

Class Commitment

90-min technique class, once per week
Adavu Practice (30 min), minimum once per week
25-30 minutes of daily, focused practice
May attend additional Adavu Practice and Dance Theory classes
May audition for Junior Company

Movement Technique

Advanced jatis
Advanced Indo-Contemporary Technique

Theory

Exploration of Varnams
Ashtanayika

Choreography

Advanced pieces from maargam
Advanced Indo-Contemporary pieces

Additional Opportunities

Junior Company (audition required)
Advanced Technique Exploration (Indo-Contemporary, Kathak)

Level 5 Curriculum

Level 5 (Arangetram – audition required)

Pre-requisites

Successful completion of Technique Levels 1-4
Successful completion of Dance Theory Levels 1 & 2

Class Commitment

Private classes 2x/week – 11 months
Adavu Practice minimum 1x/week
Private classes 4x/week in final (12th) month, plus 1 week of daily rehearsal with musicians
45-60 minutes daily practice

Movement Technique

Intermediate yoga
Adavu refinement
Intermediate Indo-Contemporary movement

Theory

Semi-guided choreography (nritta & abhinaya)
Ashtanayikaa

Choreography

Maargam specially chosen for your Arangetram (combination of new and reworked pieces)

Additional Opportunities

Junior Company (audition required)
Advanced Technique Exploration (Indo-Contemporary, Kathak)

Level 5 (Arangetram)

Level 6 (Post-Arangetram)

Pre-requisites

Successful completion of Arangetram

Class Commitment

90-min technique class, once/week – focused on advanced pieces, student choreography, and thematic exploration
30-min Adavu practice, minimum once/week

Additional Opportunities

Junior Company
Professional Company (audition required)
Advanced Technique Exploration (Indo-Contemporary, Kathak, Nritta-Karanas)
Teaching Assistantship (interview & training period required)

Level 6