By Jennifer Ersalesi
Photos provided by Rashmee Shenvi
Current Union Middle School Student, Anya Shenvi and her NJ dance team, Aum Dance, participated in the 98th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade this year. Aum Dance Creations is a dance school where students are taught a Bollywood curriculum including four styles of dance: semi-classical, hip hop, contemporary/modern, and filmi.
As stated in a press release from Anya's dance school, "Anya and her team were beyond excited to share their culture and passion on this iconic stage and brought their vibrant energy while dancing during the entire 2.5-mile parade and shortly after that were featured on NBC performing at Macy’s Herald Square. These young kids growing in their love for dance performed on the same platform as the Radio City Rockettes, and many musical and television celebrities. In the past 2 months, Anya with her countless hours of preparation has had the opportunity to also perform at the Barclay’s Center during the Brooklyn Nets’ halftime show and at Walt Disney World in Florida."
This is Rutherford interviewed Anya to learn more about her dancing career and how she felt being chosen to participate in such an amazing nationally televised event.
TIR: How long have you been dancing?
Anya Shenvi: Since I was 4 years old so 8 years.
TIR: What type of dance do you do?
AS: I have been doing Indian classical dance since I was 4 and I started Bollywood dance when I was 8.
TIR: How did you feel when you learned your dance team would perform at this year's Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade?
AS: When I heard that I would be dancing in the Macy’s parade and when my mom got the email, I was really excited to be able to share my culture all throughout New York City. I felt really proud to represent my passion for dance in front of so many people watching the parade.
TIR: What was the most exciting about being part of the parade?
AS: The most exciting part about being part of the parade would probably be the fact that I got to do it in front of so many people. I’ve never danced in front of that many people and I feel like the Macy’s parade had a broader audience and it was televised, which was a good experience because it helped me know that any mistake would be shown, and any little thing would have been easily seeable.
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