Wendy Stegall (a.k.a. Shaama) has been immersed in Indian dance for 25 years. Trained in Kathak—North Indian classical dance—she has very naturally and enthusiastically landed in the sparkling world of Bollywood.

Bollywood dance is a genre that embraces both classical/folk and hip hop, and has captured the world's attention with its charm, playfulness and wide range of movements, attracting non-dancers seeking exercise, as well as cultural explorers and serious dancers. Shaama's performances range from pure Kathak to Bollywood dance, and can be tailored to any event. Her mission is not only to express artistic beauty, sparkle and inner depth, but also to inspire the audience to join her in simple moves and sequences that make Indian dance accessible to all.

Shaama is known for mesmerizing audiences with her solo numbers, and then getting hundreds of people dancing with her to popular Indian songs. In her workshops, she teaches storytelling hand gestures and basic moves, and gives students more complex moves of classical or Bollywood dance based on the desire and context of the attendees. Shaama's venues have included educational institutions, yoga studios, weddings, parties, Indian festivals, home concerts, "Kirtan" chant/dance sessions, and conferences and retreats of all kinds.

Her training, while focused on Kathak, has also included Bharata Natyam, (South Indian dance), Near Eastern (belly dance), Nia, ballroom and modern. Her own choreographies now draw from any and all of these languages, both spontaneously and intentionally.

While studying in the US and abroad, Shaama’s training has been blessed by great gurus of the Indian dance arts. Her principle teacher was Sandhya DeSai, of the Kadamb Center for Dance and Music in Ahmedebad. She has also trained with Shila Mehta and Gina Lali. Her authenticity in rendering the Indian dance arts has afforded her many opportunities to share the splendors of Indian dance with both Western and Indian audiences. She has become well known among the Indian communities in Fairfield, Iowa City (both in Iowa), and beyond, performing in cultural programs and special events for many years.

Wendy lives in Fairfield, Iowa, where she first came in 1980 to be part of the Transcendental Meditation community.

 

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