About Dance Masala

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At Dance Masala, we take pride in having amazing teachers, able to bring out the dancer in anyone. Our classes are the perfect complement to your exercise routine, guaranteed to uplift the spirit and leave you smiling. We are dedicated to creating inspiring dancers and encourage our students to evolve into proud, passionate artists. Through a unique curriculum for Bollywood dance, Dance Masala brings out the performer in everybody! We believe that performance is integral to dance – it builds confidence; improves technique; and gives our students an outlet to share their joy and passion.

All Dance Masala Professional Company members have been trained in various forms of Western and Indian dance, including Kathak, Bharatnatyam, Lavani, Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Hip Hop, Garba, Bhangra, Tollywood, and Bollywood. High energy, artistic integrity, and complexity are characteristics of Andrea Lam’s choreographic approach and can be seen in every Dance Masala performance.

Mission Statement

Dance Masala’s Vision is to:

Authentically pay homage to, promote and share Indian culture, through dance.

Dance Masala’s Mission is to:

Create inspiring fusion, while actively engaging in classical roots of Bollywood and the influence of regional specific folk-dance. And to contribute to the development of dance in Brisbane.

Values

The following Values underpin Dance Masala’s Vision and Mission

Cultural Responsibilities
Respect
Diversity & Acceptance
Accessibility
Homage
Constant skill development

The Dance Masala Mission Statement

Dance Masala is proud to be a reflection of our multicultural society and engage a wide-range of ethnicities in Bollywood Dance. We believe in creating diversity, honouring hard work, and building a culture of respect in our classes. It is our pleasure to help promote and share Indian culture in Australia.

Bollywood is a technical, diverse and profound art form, as beautiful and diverse as India herself. Bollywood draws from many influences, and Dance Masala is proud to be ‘pure Bollywood’, a lively fusion of Indian and Western dance. We believe in the tradition of dance story telling, and the importance of dancing with intention and purpose. We hope to inspire our students strive for excellence in technique, performance, and expression. Although Bollywood choreography is not “free licence” like a dance like the Macarena, we acknowledge that there is a vast existing repertoire of Bollywood steps. Our choreography has two main intentions: –

1. Homage: we seek to transport our audience by referencing specific cinematic moments through the use of ‘signature steps’ and very occasional dance covers and;

2. Originality: to create powerful, emotive and joyous performances, through original and exciting choreography.

In meeting with its cultural responsibilities, Dance Masala invests in building relationships with the Indian community, and giving back to the Indian community through regularly performing at cultural events.

Awards / Media Appearances

2016 Award of Appreciation – Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Christmas Appeal for raising $1, 815.47
2016 New Zealand Tour – Horncastle Arena Diwali, Christchurch
2016 Choreography & Display Act – Mika Singh Concert, Brisbane
2016 Choreographer, Display Act and Back Up Dancers – Neha Kakkar Concert, Brisbane
2016 Appearances on Totally Wild, Toasted TV & the Today Show
2014 Award of Appreciation – Asylum Seeker Resource Centre Christmas Appeal for raising $833.00
2014 Featured Dancers in Shaadi Ke Side-Effects featuring Vidya Balan
2014 Channel 10’s ‘The Project’ promoting BrisAsia Festival and To Bollywood with Love
2013 Channel 7’s Great South East – Appearance promoting QPAC’s Feet First Program
2013 Ausdance Industry Showcase
2012 Award of Appreciation – Brisbane Indian Times
2012 Award of Appreciation – Oxfam Australia for raising $600 to make poverty history
2012 Award of Appreciation – St Columba’s Primary School, Wilston
2011 SBS’ Bollywood Star – featured as a Top 20 contestant – viewership of over 250, 000 per episode
2011 FOX8’s Cricket Superstar – Guest Instructors
2011 Award of Appreciation – Oxfam Australia
2011 Pozible Funding Grant
2010 Great South East – Guest Instructors
2010 Subway Chicken Tikka TV Commercial – Feature Dancers – shown in India and Australia