Female

Kirti Srivastava has been studying dance for 20 years. Her goal is to help dancers understand traditional dance forms and adapt them to contemporary music styles. Her dance history is rooted in classical Indian Dance (specifically Kathak and Odissi) and has expanded into African, Latin and Hip Hop dance styles within the past 10 years.

She began studying Kathak at the age of eight and fell in love with Odissi when she was 13. In 2002, she moved to New York to receive her Masters Degree in Education and become a member of New York’s first Odissi Classical Indian Dance Theater Company, Nayikas. This past year she furthered her studies in Orissa, India with her teacher, Manoranjan Pradhan.

Her love for world music is an obvious reflection of her being a first generation American growing up in an artistic and creative Indian home. Practicing an Indian lifestyle with family while simultaneously being exposed to Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin and African music through friends, it is inevitable that Kirti has grown into a dancer with respect towards all types of music and dance. Furthermore, with the creation of Forward Funk (an afro-indian beat band) at Galoka Gallery Restaurant and Jazz Scene in 2000, she was provided with a musical playground where she was able to experiment combining her Indian movements with African dance and rhythm. It has been an addiction ever since. Her passion for this dance fusion has allowed her to open up for artists such as KRS 1, Medusa, Culture and Angelique Kidjoe.
She is currently getting certified in yoga, helping her parents run their 20 yr. old restaurant and performing with Cheb i Sabbah in the LA area. She teaches throughout San Diego and is always looking to collaborate with other artists.

UPCOMING SHOWS:
Dec. 14 and 15th: Performing with Cheb I Sabbah in SF
Dec. 31st: Performing with Cheb I Sabbah at Zanzibar in LA
Jan.22,23,24 Performing with Cheb i Sabbah Sundance Film Festival
Feb. 2 Performing with Cheb i Sabbah at Temple Bar Santa Monica
April 10th feature with Shimmy Sisters at Portugalia
May 8th feature with Shimmy Sisters at Portugalia
June 7th performing for sd tribal style wine tasting fundraiser
July 11 Performing with Cheb I Sabbah athe Getty LA

Dil Se Indian World Fusion Dance Classes:

Tuesday Evenings:
7:00 to 8:30 pm $10 drop in
Cafe India Dance and Yoga Space
3760-5 Sports Arena Blvd.
San Diego, Ca 92110