Connect N Dance : Dance and Art Academy

Unite with your neighborhood & community through the rhythms of music, art and dance!

ConnectNDance is a dance and art academy based in Newton, MA. At ConnectNDance, you learn Creative Choreography and Indian Classical Dance – Odissi. The academy offers kids and adults across all cultural backgrounds a platform to connect with people in your community and neighborhood through dance or art. Through learning art or dance choreographies that blend Indian dance forms with international music or art, you relish cultural diversity, while building lifelong friendship, flexibility, confidence and empathy.

At the heart of the school is Sushmita Biswas, a visionary dancer, artiste, MIT graduate, business executive and mother, who is passionate about leveraging dance and art to have a positive impact on communities. Through the years, Sushmita has conducted numerous dance workshops and lecture demonstrations across India, UK and the US. Notable are her work at MIT Sloan on “Management lessons from Indian classical dance”, and her work in the UK on dance as a means of confidence building for underprivileged women.

Separate dance workshops and art classes are offered at ConnectNCreate Both remote and in person options are available. Please fill the Registration form or email connectndance@gmail.com for more information.

Connect N Dance class options:

1. Creative dance choreographies:
students learn flexible movements to the rhythms of Indian and international music. This is for anyone who wants to increase flexibility and balance, while learning dance and making new connections!

2. Indian Classical Dance – Odissi:
This is a graceful, pure classical Indian dance passed down through ages. This will teach students the art of perfection and mastery over years.

3. Vacation workshops: Participants learn one full creative choreography in just 2-4 days, culminating in a showcase event.

Who can join?

Anyone who wants to learn dance and connect with your neighbors and community through dance and art is welcome to join! We do not require dance or art experience for joining workshops or classes. Depending on the type of experience you may have, you will be placed in different groups/levels of classes.

Where are the classes and workshops held?

Connect N Dance and Art workshops and regular classes are held in Waban, a town in Newton, Massachusetts. Online classes are also available. In addition, prior to events, rehearsals are organized in a variety of locations in Newton and/or at the final event-venue.

Please contact us on connectndance@gmail.com for more information.

Glimpses from Prior Connect N Dance Events and Performances

ConnectNDance performance at Indian Community Festival Diwali At Newton

Date : November 5, 2022
Where : Indian Community Festival Diwali Celebration event in Newton

ConnectNDance performers participated in showcasing multiple dances: creative choreographies by Sushmita Biswas, to songs from Bengal : a Durga song and to a song by Rabindranath Tagore.

ConnectNDance performance at Newton Diwali Event

Date : October 24 , 2022
Where : Durant-Kenrick House and Grounds, Historic Newton

ConnectNDance performers joined the Mayor of Newton R. Fuller to showcase Indian culture and celebrate Diwali.

Performances included Creative Choregraphy dance composed by Sushmita Biswas and a “fashion show by kids” where ConnectNDance children participated.

ConnectNDance 2022 Annual Stage Performance

Date : Sunday, February 20, 2022
Time : 5.30-7.30 EST
Where : 70 Helene Road, Waban, MA

ConnectNDance students enjoyed a fun event showcasing several dances, art and music in a special winter performance.

ConnectNDance 2020 Annual Stage Performance
Date : Sunday, December 20, 2020
Time : 10.30 – 11.30 EST
Where : 39 Dexter Road, Newton, MA and zoom

ConnectNDance students showcased their dance and music performances in a special event that was both in person and zoom. The children were awarded certificates to celebrate their learning progress and participation.

Connect Dance N Art

Two such example are portrayed here. At the “Rabindra Jayanti” celebration at “Bengalees of New England” event in May 2019, Sushmita Biswas was able to convey the message about the value of building deep and true relationships through both dance and her paintings. In June 2020, Sushmita used two of her paintings as props in a dance event to reflect vibrancy of forms and emotions.

Connect Art N Poetry

The Night: A Poem by Jishnu Ganguly; and Corresponding Painting by Sushmita Biswas

As the sky becomes darker

When the sun drops from sight

Daylight is fading

And approaching is night

The full moon rises

A sea of shadows falls

Blanketing over the land

As a distant creature calls

The trees silhouette

Starts shimmer above

This is the time

That I most love.

Connect N Dance: Dance School for Creative Dance and Indian Classical Dance – Odissi.

Newton, MA 02468; Contact: connectndance@gmail.com