1. What styles of dance does Choros Charas - Destination for Arts teach?

We teach the traditional style of Bharatanatyam. No Bollywood or fusion. Students are sometimes taught a regional Indian folk dance.

 

2. Is there an Age limit to start/continue dancing?

We do not take students younger than 5 years old. 6 or 7 is ideal when mental and physical development are sufficiently established to handle the stamina and attention to detail required by the style. Older students and/or students with previous training in Bharatanatyam can be placed at higher levels according to the teachers’ discretion.

 

3. How long does it take to learn?

Classes meet once a week for one hour. Twice a week is more than twice as good, but you would need to come to different locations. This is a process of accumulation of movement and style details that must be mastered gradually. A student wishing to perform an Arangetram, or to leave with a sense of genuine accomplishment should plan to be in the school for 8-12 years.

 

4. Do students need to practice?

Yes, this is a classical art and requires practice. If students fall into a pattern of regular practice they will feel a greater sense of accomplishment in class.

 

5. Do you take adult beginners?

We are happy to take any age of beginners.

 

6. Are make-up classes available when a student misses a class?

You may attend a class of the same or lower level but may have to go to another location to do so.

 

7. How are the Fees paid?

Fees for all classes are payable at choroscharas.com on the Tuition Fees page.  When you register, you are committed to our school year. We have established a payment plan through our website.

 

8. What is Choros Charas’s “school year”?

We follow the local school calendars as far as possible, beginning in mid to late August. The Annual Summer Festival usually marks the end of the school year, falling on the month of April, followed by the Arangetrams (if any), individual performances by graduating students. Students have about 40 hours approximately of contact time across the school year, including classes, rehearsals, performances, and workshops.

 

9. Aside from fees, what are the likely expenses?

We have a uniform that can be purchased through the school. This cost around $45 approximately. We are committed to both dance and presentation being authentic and decent, so all uniforms must be within our guidelines.

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Choros Charas presents 2 Showcases yearly. Annual showcase in April and Vidhyarambha showcase in October and the Students will be given an opportunity to perform their learnings as a group or solo depending on their levels. All the students will be presented with a certificate for their showcase. 

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We collect performance enrollment to cover some costs like venue booking, photography/videography, certificates, etc.,

The costs may vary depending on the event budget.

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As the students progress, they will need to get costumes and jewelry to perform. There is a wide range of materials and costs for these, They can be purchased through Choos Charas. We are committed to both dance and presentation being authentic and decent, so all costumes must be within our guidelines.

 

10. Do you have regular holidays?

We give a holiday for the weekend of Thanksgiving, two weeks for Christmas and New Year, Easter Sunday, Memorial Weekend, and Spring Break. We are closed for July and August. Some days may be given as holidays due to circumstances beyond our control.

 

11. How does a student move up the course progression?

Not all students learn identically, and if a student is slower than the others in the group, we may recommend that the student be moved to a less advanced class. It is frustrating for a student to struggle hard, and it is better to take one's own time to learn. We cannot allow one slower student to hold the others back. It is not about winning or losing, but about the random composition of the group. Likewise, we may move a fast learner ahead to an appropriate group.

 

12. Is Arangetram mandatory?

After 8-12 years of study, a student may want to consider doing an Arangetram.

 

An Arangetram is a great challenge in every way, demanding great commitment on the part of the student who has to polish a whole set of dances to be performed alone, with a live orchestra. Many other activities may have to be given up for that last year. Parents will have to drive the student to private lessons at least once a week, in addition to the group lessons. It is very expensive, as the family must pay for the extra lessons, the musical ensemble from India, renting a theatre and technical staff, printing and photo shoot for the event, a nice program brochure, and refreshments for the guests. Imagine a slightly scaled-back wedding without the bridegroom’s family to help. On the other hand, it is an accomplishment that will stay with the dancer in every other life journey, giving them confidence and pride that nothing can take away.

 

13. Is there any way to make an Arangetram cheaper?

We are happy to explore the possible shortcuts to the costs: sharing the performance with classmates who are compatible in several ways, not serving dinner, etc. There are many ways, and we can join our imaginations together to make something work. Without calling it an Arangetram, one can also have a more limited final performance, in a temple or community center, with less pomp and fanfare.

 

14. Does the student’s course end after Arangetram?

Arangetram is a solo debut performance and when we say debut then that means it is the beginning of many more solo performances after that. A student must not quit learning after the Arangetram, instead, keep learning more to improve their knowledge of the art and continue doing more showcases. 

 

As students progress we may also provide them an opportunity to perform longer showcases at dance festivals in India and USA.