Leela Youth Dance Company
Activating Youth Voices through World-Class Training and Mentorship in Classical Indian Dance and Music
“The youth company has challenged me to step outside my comfort zone and embrace who I am as a dancer. It’s taught me discipline, determination, and the value of showing up for my team. I’ve learned to lead, to listen, and to contribute meaningfully to something larger than myself. This journey has shaped me into a more confident and better version of myself.”
Anvi Joshi, Youth Company Member, Age 16
About Leela Youth Dance Company
Leela Youth Dance Company (LYDC) is an audition-based, pre-professional performing group under the artistic direction of kathak artist and educator, Rukhmani Mehta. The program champions excellence in kathak, classical dance of North India and serves as a platform for youth leadership development. Through world-class training and mentorship, the program empowers teens to develop their own voices and become advocates and ambassadors for Indian classical art and culture within their communities and in the world. LYDC has performed nationally in numerous prestigious festivals and venues including WorldWideWomen’s Girl’s Festival, San Francisco Museum of Modern Arts, Philadelphia Youth Festival, LA County’s Annual Holiday Celebration, and more.
Faculty
Members
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Varnika Bhat
Maanvi Dhadoti
Anvi Joshi
Shriya Patel
Prisha Patel
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Mahika Goswamy
Ananya Bhardwaj
Maya Bhatia
Anaya Doshi
Amara Kapur
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Subhamita Palit
Niva Patel
Somya Nirmal
Ahana Sapatnekar
Nysa Gulati
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Rhea Sheth
Nithya Kupunaram
Mihika Nandy
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Watch the Company
Leela Youth Dance Company is proud to make select performances available for viewing to audience members world wide on its youtube channel. Take a look at some of the company’s most recent performances across the United States, solo performances by company members as well archival performances featuring youth company alumni and more.
Notable Performances
March 2025 – Leela Youth Dance Company performs at Dance Boulevard – San Jose, CA
March 2025 – Imagine India at Hamlin Charter Academy – West Hills, CA
March 2025 – Imagine India at Shenandoah Street Elementary – Los Angeles, CA
March 2025 – Women of Color Open Mic at La Pena Cultural Center- Berkeley, CA
October 2024 – Marghazi in San Francisco Music & Dance Festival – San Francisco, CA
August 2024 – Ballet Roots Dance Company Annual Celebration – Livermore, CA
May 2024 – Leela Youth Dance Company performs Imagine India at Agoura Hills High School – Agoura Hills, CA
May 2024 – Leela Youth Dance Company performs Imagine India at Portola High School – Irvine, CA
April 2024 – Classroom Concert ft. Anirra Kutty & Poorvi Sangli – Berkeley, CA
March 2024 – Classroom Concert ft. Shriya & Prisha Patel – Westlake Village, CA
February 2024 – Classroom Concert ft. Anushka Bettigiri & Pragya Agarwal – Westlake Village, CA
February 2024 – Branham High School Cultural Festival – San Jose, CA
December 2023 – Classroom Concert ft. Maanvi Dhadoti & Anvi Joshi – Westlake Village, CA
May 2023 – The Museum of the San Fernando Valley celebrates AAPI Heritage Month – Northridge, CA
May 2023 – St. Timothy School’s Cultural Festival – Los Angeles, CA
April 2023 – The City of Los Angeles Celebrates Holi – Canoga Park, CA
March 2023 – Philadelphia Youth Dance Festival – Philadelphia, PA
October 2022 – The Thousand Oaks Library celebrates Diwali – Thousand Oaks, CA
October 2022 – Namaste Spiceland celebrates Diwali – Thousand Oaks & Pasadena, CA
August 2022 – Azaad Ka Amrit Mahotsav, India’s 75th Anniversary Celebration – Cerritos, CA
May 2022 – Youth Rising at Generations of Power – San Francisco, CA
April 2022 – Archana, India Friends Association’s Annual Fundraiser – Thousand Oaks, CA
March 2022 – Namaste Spiceland celebrates Holi – Thousand Oaks, CA
December 2021 – 62nd Annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration – Los Angeles, CA
November 2021 – Westfield Celebrates Diwali – Woodland Hills, CA
September 2021 – ReSound: Kathak in the Streets – Pasadena & Oak Park, CA
Leela Dance Collective
23650 Community Street
Los Angeles, CA 91304
P: 323.457.4522
E: info@leela.dance
Bookings
P: 775.560.2598
E: bookings@leela.dance
