SHAKTI

Shakti is the only competitive Indian Classical Dance team at Johns Hopkins University. Since 2003, the dancers of JHU Shakti have excelled on stage, telling stories through dance while upholding the values of classical Indian dance form and culture. JHU Shakti has competed at the highest level of intercollegiate competition dance for the Bharatanatyam dance form, performing at the Origins Classical Indian Dance Championship and placing at numerous nationwide dance competitions. The team dedicates their time to the mastery of expression, hand movements, and footwork, and seeks to convey a powerful story through classical dance to all audiences. The members of Shakti each bring a variety of classical dance styles to the team and meld them into dynamic performances featuring traditional steps set to fast-tempo beats, complex formations, and moving narratives.

We are proud to have placed 4th overall at the 2024 Origins National Dance Championship!

2023 - 2024 COMPETITION SEASON

Date

City

Competition

Awards

April 21st, 2024

Chicago, IL

Origins National Dance Championship

4th Place, Best Theme

March 30th, 2024

Charlottesville, VA

Chak de C'ville - Origins Bid Comp

1st Place; Best Theme

February 24th, 2024

College Park, MD

Mayuri - Origins Bid Comp

February 18th, 2024

Atlanta, GA

Laasya - Origins Bid Comp

2023 - 2024 ADDITIONAL PERFORMANCES & Events

Date

Event

Location

April 25th, 2024

Johns Hopkins Annual Culture Show

Shriver Hall

April 6th, 2024

Jaywalk Showcase

Shriver Hall

April 5th, 2024

Ladybirds Showcase

Shriver Hall

April 2nd, 2024

Admitted Students Day Workshop

ROTC Center

November 11th, 2023

Diwali Celebration

Ralph O'Connor Rec Center

October 19th, 2023 D.C. Opening Day Johns Hopkins in D.C.
September 9th, 2023 Shakti Auditions!!! Rec Center MPR A
September 4th, 2023 Orientation O-Show Shriver Hall

We are honored to have been awarded the 2024 Creative Collaborator Award by Johns Hopkins Arts & Innovation and Leadership Engagement & Experiential Development!

Members Benefits

As a member of Shakti, you are joining an incredible community of supportive students who not only dance together, but make life long memories. Shakti provides a wonderful space to keep in touch with South Indian culture by practicing the Bharatanatyam dance form.

Fall 2024 Auditions

Be sure to check back and follow us on our instagram to learn more about auditions.

Interest Form

Fill out this interest form to be the first to know when audition information comes out! Be sure to follow our instagram @jhushakti for the latest updates!

Watch our performances

Watch our past performances at competitions across the nation at from YouTube playlists.

NOTABLE COMPETITION HISTORY

Year

City

Competition

Awards

2023

Pittsburgh, PA

Dhirana

2nd Place

2023

Arlington, VA

Tu Bhi Nachle - Origins Bid Comp

2023

Seattle, WA

Laasya - Origins Bid Comp

2016

Pittsburgh, PA

Dhirana

3rd Place

2013

College Park, MD

Mayuri

1st Place

We are grateful to receive funding support from the Johns Hopkins Alumni Association!

Shakti Executive Board

Nicoleen Willson Profile

Nicoleen Willson

Advisor
Smriti Gounder Profile

Smriti Gounder

Secretary
Ananya Ashok Profile

Ananya Ashok

President
Maya Britto Profile

Maya Britto

Co-Captain
Neha Skandan Profile

Neha Skandan

Treasurer
Sandhya Ganesh Profile

Sandhya Ganesh

Tech Chair
Dheeksha Sudhakar Profile

Dheeksha Sudhakar

Secretary
Simren Shah Profile

Simren Shah

Co-Captain

E: jhushakti@gmail.com
P:

Shakti

3400 N. Charles St
Baltimore MD 21218
United States