Classes available in:
Dance
Music
The Navatman methodology focuses on a traditional guru shishya parampara style of learning, with a twist. Our goal is to get your children to fall in love with Indian dance and music, and then take it to the highest level.
While performance tracks and arangetram tracks are available, it is incredibly important for us to impart the philosophy of more traditional styles of dance and music: that it is a part of the self, meant to be called upon in times of respite, joy, and more. It is not a benchmark style program meant to set goals and hit them, but rather about how to grow the self through a love for the arts.
Thus, many of our students end up practicing multiple styles and eventually spend much of their week at Navatman, learning artistic traits alongside entrepreneurial traits and independent building of the self.
If this sounds like a growth style you would like for your child, please sign up for a trial class below and discuss the next steps with the teacher on how to join this community.
While performance tracks and arangetram tracks are available, it is incredibly important for us to impart the philosophy of more traditional styles of dance and music: that it is a part of the self, meant to be called upon in times of respite, joy, and more. It is not a benchmark style program meant to set goals and hit them, but rather about how to grow the self through a love for the arts.
Thus, many of our students end up practicing multiple styles and eventually spend much of their week at Navatman, learning artistic traits alongside entrepreneurial traits and independent building of the self.
If this sounds like a growth style you would like for your child, please sign up for a trial class below and discuss the next steps with the teacher on how to join this community.
Quick FAQs:
What is the schedule and pricing?
Pricing is $250 - $350 for 8-10 weeks (please note these prices are subject to change and may be from a previous session)
The trial class days and times are the days that the class is ongoing throughout the year. EG, trial classes on Saturday at 9AM will continue Saturday at 9AM throughout the year.
If you need further clarification, please visit this page and click through the google calendar to see what's upcoming and exact days/times for class.
The trial class days and times are the days that the class is ongoing throughout the year. EG, trial classes on Saturday at 9AM will continue Saturday at 9AM throughout the year.
If you need further clarification, please visit this page and click through the google calendar to see what's upcoming and exact days/times for class.
What is the curriculum?
Dance: to cover basic positions of the natyashastra
spatial understanding
understanding basic rules of a dance and music class
namaskar
mudras and hastas
stories from the Indian pantheon of texts
Music: understanding shruthi
breathwork
sargam and singing the basic notes of hindustani and carnatic music
reading and singing notes
pitching the voice
spatial understanding
understanding basic rules of a dance and music class
namaskar
mudras and hastas
stories from the Indian pantheon of texts
Music: understanding shruthi
breathwork
sargam and singing the basic notes of hindustani and carnatic music
reading and singing notes
pitching the voice
What is the goal?
The goal for this level of class, for ages 5-8 is really to enjoy kathak, bharatanatyam and carnatic music. The training is intensive later on, so if we can set up an environment where joy is the main focus, and how to behave is a strong structural component of the class, moving them into intensive study and practice later on becomes a much easier process.
Students who are inclined to practice and have rigor can move to the next level class (Kathak Body Preparation, Bharatanatyam Body Preparation, Vocal Preparation) if they have proven their ability to practice from class to class and understand lines and focus within the classroom well.
Students who are inclined to practice and have rigor can move to the next level class (Kathak Body Preparation, Bharatanatyam Body Preparation, Vocal Preparation) if they have proven their ability to practice from class to class and understand lines and focus within the classroom well.
How do I sign up?
1. Sign up for the trial class
2. Schedule time to talk to the teacher about how classes at Navatman work and expectations
3. Sign up if it all fits!
2. Schedule time to talk to the teacher about how classes at Navatman work and expectations
3. Sign up if it all fits!
Watch some of our younger students:
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Testimonials:
I cannot tell you what a miracle Navatman wrought in our lives: Sulakshana went from wanting to quit bharatanatyam (from ages 4-7) to wanting to continue… even when she has to miss 3/4 of the classes! She says that bharatnatyam is now ‘part of her’, and even though she still doesn’t like practicing, she can’t imagine life without Navatman. It’s not only about the dance, but about being part of the community (her words). So often after class, I’ve heard her say that she was re-energized and inspired. (What is the trick?? I want to learn it!)
- Julia, mother of Sulakshana
"Thank you for taking the time [with us]...[it is] a reminder on how lucky we are to have such a passionate teacher/Guru and also be part of an incredible school like Navatman."
- Bhuvana, mother of Janani
"Our family has been a part of the Navatman community for 5 1/2 years now. Navatman teaches music and dance with integrity and precision in a gurukul fashion. The teachers love what they do and have a passion for their art. Dance and music are taught like school subjects. Navatman believes in a strong foundation. My daughters learn the technical names to all the dance movements, musical notes, melodies and rhythms. Acquiring this knowledge....gives them an added confidence in their craft.
Seeing this community grow and flourish is very important to me. It provides a wonderful home base for my kids. I have over time become more involved with volunteering and fundraising and I am now, a student at Navatman. Navatman will be a part of our family for years to come.
- Sejal, mother of Lekha and Saara
Isra misses the Navatman classes SO MUCH. We moved out of the city about 5 years ago but loving following your updates via email and seeing the center grow. I hope she can join some of the weekend camps in the future, doing that with you at such a young age has inspired a love of our culture and Indian arts that is invaluable to our family."
- Nermeen A., daughter danced with Navatman for 3 years
- Julia, mother of Sulakshana
"Thank you for taking the time [with us]...[it is] a reminder on how lucky we are to have such a passionate teacher/Guru and also be part of an incredible school like Navatman."
- Bhuvana, mother of Janani
"Our family has been a part of the Navatman community for 5 1/2 years now. Navatman teaches music and dance with integrity and precision in a gurukul fashion. The teachers love what they do and have a passion for their art. Dance and music are taught like school subjects. Navatman believes in a strong foundation. My daughters learn the technical names to all the dance movements, musical notes, melodies and rhythms. Acquiring this knowledge....gives them an added confidence in their craft.
Seeing this community grow and flourish is very important to me. It provides a wonderful home base for my kids. I have over time become more involved with volunteering and fundraising and I am now, a student at Navatman. Navatman will be a part of our family for years to come.
- Sejal, mother of Lekha and Saara
Isra misses the Navatman classes SO MUCH. We moved out of the city about 5 years ago but loving following your updates via email and seeing the center grow. I hope she can join some of the weekend camps in the future, doing that with you at such a young age has inspired a love of our culture and Indian arts that is invaluable to our family."
- Nermeen A., daughter danced with Navatman for 3 years