Karishma Singh is a full time health professional at the busy Auckland city hospital and works part time as a dance teacher at Aaja Nachle. She is loved by all in her current role as a BollyFitness teacher at Glenfield and the HEAD TEACHER for the Accelerated crew. It’s a busy role that goes above and beyond teaching, she is a mentor and instils in her students life lessons, through her dance lessons.
Karishma is very special to our school as she is our first student turned tutor! Having Karishma join our teaching team was a real cause for celebration as we now have a generation of alumni motivated and inspired by their school to come back, contribute and instil in others what was once gifted to them.
We talk to Karishma about her Aaja Nachle journey - check it out!
Tell us about how you first became involved with Aaja Nachle?
I first joined Aaja Nachle NZ as part of the North Shore Intermediate class in 2015 when I was in my final year of high school and looking for a new extra-curricular activity. I was recommended Aaja Nachle by a family member. I remember being extremely nervous as I was a non-trained dancer, shy, closed off and a very self-conscious teenager. Jignal was the teacher at the time and I saw first-hand her passions for Bollywood dance and desire to see her students grow and succeed both in and out of class. Seeing her enthusiasm and dedication, I decided to stick around for more and Aaja Nachle quickly became family!
What made Aaja Nachle special for you?
Attending weekly classes, trying new stunts, different bollywood dance forms and performing at a wide range of events taught me so much about body awareness and self-confidence. It provided a platform where I could engage in my culture and be able to share it with others proudly and openly. By the end of the year I had a new found love for Bollywood dance, self-confidence I never dreamed of developing such a strong sense of self-belief and determination. I spent 2 amazing years at Aaja Nachle before I had to leave temporarily to pursue my degree in Wellington.
How did you get into teaching at Aaja Nachle?
Upon returning to Auckland after graduating I was excited to get re-involved with Aaja Nachle and decided to apply for a teaching role.
Why teach at Aaja Nachle?
I wanted to teach at Aaja Nachle as I wanted to be a part of a community who share the same outlooks in terms of wanting to see students flourish, become confident and skilled and share the love for Bollywood. What brings me back to class each week is knowing that I’m making even the smallest positive impact in someone’s life. Whether it is as simple as sharing a fun class that will be a memory they cherish or teaching a new skill that will help them become better dancers or people. I feel content knowing I’m giving back what was once given wholeheartedly to me.
Start your dancing journey with Aaja Nachle and grow with us as Karishma has!
Call 021 088 10856 or drop into a class!