Born in Toronto, from the age of 4, her enthusiasm led her to study the classical forms of Bharatanatyam, Kathak and Odissi dance. This Punjabi girl already had Bhangra in her roots from childhood but further studied the complete traditional and acrobatic form of Bhangra in the villages of Punjab, India. Yet, conservative movement wasn't compelling enough for her; she needed something with more emotion and power, something unparalleled.
Pooja studied & explored different forms of dance, she trained in jazz and hip-hop in London,U.K., latin & ballroom dance in Canada & the U.S., while maintaining a stylistic foundation in the expressive beauty of Indian dance. Pooja had the honor of training under renowned bollywood choreographer Saroj Khan and also trained at the Shiamak Davar Institute of performing arts. Pooja introduced Bollywood & Bhangra to the U.S. east coast in 2002. Since then, over 5000+ people of all backgrounds & professions have learned & experienced the various forms of Bollywood & Bhangra Dance through Pooja's Highly popular dance classes. Pooja's innovative choreography have appeared in several major motion pictures , Including Bollywood Blockbusters,'Jaaneman','Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna', 'KARMA AUR HOLI', and HOLLYWOOD FILMS ' THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND' & 'THE GOLD BRACELET'.
Pooja has trained & worked with Celebrity Artists Sushmita Sen, Rati Agnihotri, Randip Hooda, Archana Puran Singh, Aishwarya Rai, Naomi Campbell, Uma Thurman, Colin Firth, Jeffery Dean Morgan, Ali Larter, Tina Sugandh, Tyra Banks & The Kings of Bachata - Aventura. Pooja had trained dancer Caitlin Kinney in preparation for her Bollywood Dance performance on the popular TV show ' So you think you can dance' & Choreographed a Music Video for Grammy Award Winner John Legend's song ' If you're out there' remixed by Rajstar. Pooja Has also choreographed the world's first Bollywood Flash mob which took place in Times Square and various parts of the city in August 2009 (see it on Youtube) and co-choreographed a piece for the So you think you can dance canada top 20 with Longinus Fernandes (slumdog millionaire Choreographer).
Pooja's Dance Company, The BAX Dance Company, is the first of it's kind in the U.S., formed in 2006, they continue to grow stronger in their effort to promote and create awareness of South Asian culture through the colorful art of Bollywood &Bhangra dance performances. The company has performed at stellar events such as the opening of the 'Bollywood Zone' at Madame Tussauds Wax Museum in NYC, the offical Premieres for the films 'Bride & Prejudice' & 'SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE' in the U.S. The Company has also performed at Bruce Webber's W Magazine Party for designers Dolce & Gabanna & Karl Lagerfeld, The Prestigious Media Awards show - ' The one show' in NY , and at the 2009 Latin Grammys (Premio Lo Nuestro) with band Aventura. Their Performances have also been featured at the Brooklyn Museum of Arts,The Queens museum of Arts, & Dancing at the Crossroads of the world in Times Square. TV appearances include The NBC Today Show, Tyra Banks Show, CBS early show, CW11 morning news, Fox News, NY1& the Daily Show.
Pooja has taught Master Classes at various Dance Institute, conventions & universities all over the U.S. and has held workshops across the globe for many high end corporations such as Google, American Express, Dow Jones, Girl Scouts of America,Marie Claire, Carnival Cruise lines,Macy's, etc.
Pooja's group dance classes and Individual training lessons are in high demand in New York City and around the country. Fusing contemporary western influences, classical Indian dance techniques ,and contagious energy of Punjabi bhangra and the passionate spirit of Hindi cinema, Pooja hopes to spread her love of Bollywood and Bhangra dancing to people of all ages and backgrounds.
