ICMD What’s On

2024–2025 Highlights

This has been a transformative year at the Institute of Classical and Modern Dance — marked by international touring, prestigious commissions, residencies with globally renowned institutions, and bold original work. ICMD continues to shape the future of dance education and performance in India.

✦ International Recognition & Touring

The Indian Youth Dance Company (IYDC) made its international debut with A Mixed Bill at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Center (NMACC), followed by invitations to perform at two of London’s most prestigious venues: The Place and the Royal Academy of Dance headquarters.

IYDC toured with:

Sukshma, choreographed by Neeraj Lohani — a contemporary celebration of Indian and Western cultural intersections

✦ Major Productions

Origins — Commissioned by the Aditya Birla Centre for Performing Arts
A tribute to the extraordinary dance talent India has nurtured — a celebration of artistes who have taken flight to stages across the globe, and those just beginning to spread their wings.
Curated by Pia Sutaria, this concert brought together internationally acclaimed dancers with roots in India, alongside rising stars from the Indian Youth Dance Company. An evening of artistry, homecoming, and hope — honouring our roots while looking ahead to the limitless future of Indian dance.

✦ Notable Performances in India

Featured at Art Mumbai and Sanctuary Asia at NCPA
Commissioned and invited performances for:
- India Couture Week
- Coach
- Schwarzkopf
- Westside
- Falguni Shane Peacock
- Asian Paints – Nilaya Launch

✦ Artist Residencies & Global Collaborations

London Contemporary Dance School in Residence at ICMD
LCDS conducted live auditions and mentorship sessions with ICMD’s senior dancers.
Jacksonville University, Florida x ICMD
MFA students led workshops across improvisation, somatics, performance research, and career development.
Taylor School, NYC x ICMD
A cultural exchange program that concluded in July 2024, fostering international artistic dialogue.
The Place (UK) x RAD x ICMD
12 ICMD students were awarded full scholarships to perform and train in London as part of an international exchange with The Place and the Royal Academy of Dance — a rare honour reflecting the standard of training at ICMD.

✦ Masterclasses & Intensives

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater – Masterclass
A unique opportunity to experience Ailey’s powerful repertory and technique.
Boston Conservatory Intensive with Kurt & Ruka
Focused on contemporary technique, performance presence, and choreographic innovation.

✦ Awards & Recognition

Recipient of the G5A Warehouse Performance Grant (2024–25)
Awarded to support original, research-driven movement work — given to a select few nationally.
International Student Scholarships
ICMD dancers received full scholarships to train and perform in London via exchanges with The Place and the Royal Academy of Dance.

This is more than a dance school.
ICMD is a platform where training meets artistry, and students become cultural ambassadors. We are proud to build a space where dancers grow not only in technique — but in vision, voice, and international impact.

Academic Year 2025–2026 Commences

We are delighted to begin the Academic Year 2025–2026 at the Institute of Classical and Modern Dance. This year marks a renewed commitment to deepening our focus on technical excellence, disciplined training, and artistic growth. Across ballet, contemporary, tap, jazz, and classical Indian forms, our curriculum is designed to challenge and nurture students at every level of their development.

We look forward to a year of rigorous training, meaningful exploration, and continued artistic evolution.

Open Classes: Contemporary and Ballet

We are pleased to offer two focused open classes, led by Manish Chauhan. These classes are a great opportunity for dancers at any level – whether you’re new to dance, returning to dance or an experienced dancer – to learn in an environment focused on the joy of dance, build technique, explore movement, and stay consistent with your training.

Contemporary with Manish Chauhan
Day: Sundays
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM

Ballet with Manish Chauhan
Day: Wednesdays
Time: 7:45 PM – 9:15 PM

Eligibility: Ages 10+
Fees: Please contact ICMD for the details.

Spots are limited! Register now – https://forms.gle/PxgLFiLFfVktCYvD8

DIPESH VARMA

I’m Dipesh! I am 19 years old and thanks to the training I received at ICMD, I was able to obtain a scholarship to study in Paris, the City of Lights, at Paris Marais Dance School, in the heart of Paris, in its historic centre. It’s a school that teaches contemporary and ballet, that teaches both through a global training and that also prepares students to become professional dancers and to join a company.

Obtaining this scholarship required a lot of work and personal self-sacrifice, but nothing would have been possible on my own. I met Pia in Mumbai. She could see me in a ballet class;we had a talk and after knowing my financial situation and my desire to dance she offered me a full scholarship. Training with ICMD really changed my life, it was a game-changer and I had some unforgettable moments. ICMD helped me to grow as a dancer of course, but also as a human being by teaching me how to become a more independent, more mature, more responsible person. Pia has been a great teacher since I met her. She helped me to live in Mumbai, in a big city that I didn’t know, she helped me to put me on the road to success, she helped me to find schools, to record videos for auditions. Without her, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Thanks to Pia, I was able to get scholarships from many ballet schools in the United States.

Paris Marais Dance School (full scholarship)

MALIKKA ADVANI

My name is Malikka Advani, I’m 19 years old. I’m a sophomore at NYU Tisch School of the Arts. I’m a drama major, but I’m also minoring in Dance and Digital Art and Design because I have always been someone who has a large array of interests. That is the reason Prodance was very helpful for me. I not only got rigorous training in dance, but I acquired many more skills. For example I learned about anatomy in relation with movement, we did a lot of breath connection and yoga work, we learned about choreography, rhythm and much more. That, I think is what helped me in my journey and lead me to successfully enroll in the school of my dreams!

NYU Tisch

ALYA DORMEN

ICMD is a vocational school where passionate and ambitious dancers train to ‘move beyond the ordinary’. I can’t stress enough the friendly and welcoming environment that has always made me look forward to coming to dance. Throughout my years, the faculty has constantly guided me and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I am currently training in a performing arts school in London, and with the help of Pia, Jessica and Raull, my audition process was made so much easier. I will always be thankful for the experiences, the knowledge, the professionalism, the memories, the friends, the teachers and more.

ArtsEd London

Testimonials