It’s quite common knowledge that Goans love music and dance. Not surprisingly Kerala native Eby John couldn’t quite help noticing this when come down to Goa on a vacation a few years ago.
Having studied dance under Ashley Lobo at Danceworks in Delhi, Eby decided to spread his love for dance in Goa. A founding member of Dance-o-philia dance group, Eby has conducted classes at venues all over Goa. With time he felt the need to start off his own dance studio.
“Dance classes should ideally not be conducted on hard surfaces where there are no safety measures in place for dancers,” says Eby. Thus about four months ago, he began putting his studio plan in motion. The new studio “ Kaizen Dance Studio will open on June 3 at Casa Del Sol, Miramar.
“We have put wooden floors in place wih foam cushioning. Mirrors have been installed on the wall around. We have also worked on the acoustics so that sound from outside cannot be heard inside and vice versa,” explains Eby.
Fitness equipement have also been put in place. “Up until now for our ballet classes we have been using the wall as support. Now we have put a ballet bar in place,” says Eby.
What’s interesting is that the studio will be based on the drop in concept. This concept, states Eby is quite popular in the US and even in cities like Mumbai.
“Usually in Goa you sign up for dance classes of one month or three etc and pay accordingly. But what if you are in town only for two weeks but would still like to enrol for a dance class? With a drop in concept, you can call and find out what classes are going on and drop in according to your preference or you can request a private class with a teacher of your choice based on availability,” explains Eby.
The question of disrupting the class does not arise however, continues Eby. “If a person drops in for a class, a second instructor will be available. This way, if the person has difficulty keeping up with the routine being taught, this other instructor will work with the person and get him or her upto speed,” says Eby. This however is a temporary solution in place for the time being. “Abroad, when a person chooses to drop in, he or she has to mention the difficulty level he or she is comfortable with and is assigned a class accordingly. Here, however being a new studio, we are yet to get our level system in place,” says Eby.
In fact, Eby began with a Comprehensive Dance Certification Programme last year meant for children in the age group of 6-11 years. The programme which runs from June to March consists of 10-11 credits where participants are taught different dance styles. Apart from this they are also taught history and theory of dance as well as core related subjects like theatre and gymnastics. “ Those who did the course last year will now move to level 2. Admissions for level 1 are open till end of May,” says Eby.
Apart from this, the studio will also have choreography classes in two level “ basic and advanced taught by Eby himself, while Latin dance classes consisting of sensual bachata, salsa and jive will be conducted by Presley and Ericka.
Zumba classes by three different instructors at different timings will also be a part of the schedule as also yoga classes which begins in July. B-Boy Shane Mendes who originally hails from Goa and who has represented India at international level will be conducting street fit dance, a fitness cum dance programme.Eby will also be conducting beginners ballet classes for kids.
“Another new concept that we will be starting is the gift a dance voucher. If you know anyone who loves to dance, you can gift them a set of dance classes which they can then call and schedule,” says Eby.
