What You Do

Amy Sharp

over 2000 years ago, Originating in Northern India

is a form of Indian classical dance that uses rhythmic footwork, hand gestures, and facial expressions to tell stories. Ekta Popat is the founder of local Storytellers School of Dance (SSD). She feels honored that she is able to pass this graceful, intense, and challenging art form on–with its true authenticity–to the next

SSD started in 2017 with about 30 students. It has since grown to almost 200 students, ages three to 76. Ekta has danced and taught dance most of her life. What she does at SSD is beyond just teaching dance. She offers a complete educational program with a curriculum that has a syllabus, structure, exams, graduations, and a path for a degree. As students progress through the curriculum, they earn different color scarves (dupattas) that signify their progress. SSD is affiliated with Bharati Vidyapeeth University (India) and is one of the only fully accredited examination centers in the Houston area.

“I am extremely passionate about what I do,” says Ekta. “My students know and appreciate how much time and effort goes into learning this artform. I am very generous with my time. I am available for every single dancer whether it be for exam preparation or a performance at school. I also love it when students ask for extra one-on-one teachings, or stay a little after class to review something. I also like to connect with each student individually as much as I can. My students are an extension of my family.”

For additional exposure, Ekta regularly offers her students dance workshops with professional artists from India, including her own Guru, Smt. Shambhavi Dandekar. A critical part to a student’s growth is performing on stage. Since its inception, SSD students have continued to have the opportunity to perform competitively, for various community events, for charity events, and in “Reflections,” SSDs own large-scale, annual recital.

In addition to teaching, Ekta hopes to spread awareness of the benefits of Kathak. Even the most basic routines require endurance, fine and gross motor skills, and a deep understanding of music and rhythm. Kathak learning stimulates both the right and left brain development, as well as the development of math skills. It helps improve concentration, focus, stamina, and balance. Practicing Kathak is said to be meditative and spiritual. It requires a lot of discipline and perseverance.

Ekta grew up in India and moved to the USA as a teenager. She has a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and a Masters in Business Administration. Ekta spent several years in the corporate world, but after starting SSD, she realized this was her calling. As the saying goes: “Love what you do, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” Ekta has been married for over 20 years and is a mother to two high schoolers.