KARAN RIAR- ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

                  Karan Riar hails straight from the Bollywood Film Industry in Mumbai where for over a decade, his performance, choreography, and entrepreneurial skills have led him to be an integral part of the Film and Performance Industry.  Karan’s versatility in Bollywood Dance includes elements of Jazz, Hip Hop, Rock N’ Roll, Afro-Jazz, Salsa, Contemporary, Basic Ballet, Lyrical Hip Hop, and many other styles. 

Karan’s professional training has led him to choreograph and work with renowned choreographers Shiamak DavarGeeta Kapur, Ganesh Hegde, and Inderjeet Sharma.  He has trained Bollywood celebrities Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bacchan, Salman Khan,  Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, and many more.  You can see Karan’s work in the Bollywood movies “Dhoom 2”, “Kisna”, “I See You”, “Rab ne Bana di Jodi”, “Bunty Aur Bubli”, and “Yuvraj”.  He has performed, taught, and choreographed as an assistant internationally for several Industry Award shows like IIFA, Filmfare, Star Screen Awards, and various television award shows.   

In the Bay Area, Karan Riars choreography has been showcased at CCF and ICC events, for the San Francisco Giants, and the NASA Ames Research Center. Karan’s most recent accomplishments include choreographing for the movie, “For Here or to Go”, filmed in San Francisco, CA.  
 

 

 

 

                                 

MEERA SARKAR RIAR-MANAGING DIRECTOR

             Meera Sarkar Riar has been dancing, choreographing, and instructing Classical Kathak Dance for over 30 years. She is professionally trained in the Lucknow Gharana and her unique style is influenced by her teachers, Betty Jones, Megan Black, Sandhya Desai, Kumudini Lakhia, Sharmila Sharma and Saswati Sen.  

                         Classical Kathak dance teaches students the basic foundations of grace, coordination, poise, and discipline that can last a lifetime. Meera Riar makes the challenge of learning classical dance fun, engaging, and exciting for ALL ages, and brings enthusiasm to each class. Outside of dance, Meera also has a vast background in teaching, mentoring, and leading through various community outreach programs. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Microbiology and a Master’s Degree in Public Health.

                                                        

 
 
 
RAJKUMAR GUPTA-SENIOR TEACHER/CHOREOGRAPHER
 
Mr. Raj has well over 17 years of experience in the Mumbai Film Industry as an Assistant Choreographer and Background Dancer for motion pictures, reality shows, music tours, and television award shows.  He has worked with famous choreographers including Vaibhavi Merchant, Prabhu Deva, Geeta Kapoor, and many more.  He can also be seen dancing in many of your favorite Bollywood movie songs, including “Thug Le”, “Bodyguard”, “Kambakht Ishq”, “Dil Bole Hadippa”, “Go Govinda”, “Dil Chori Sada Ho Gaya”, and many more.  Mr. Raj has been teaching dance for the last 10+ years to famous Bollywood Celebrities including Sharukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor, Salman Khan, and is now excited to be a part of the RAPA team and teach your kids!