Dancing Classrooms Philly (DCP) has announced the appointment of Swati Chaturvedi as its new Program Director. In this role, Swati will oversee DCP’s day-to-day programming operations, guide the talent roster of teaching artists, and create and deepen relationships with schools and partner organizations.
Swati is the founder and director of the Community Bollywood Dance Project, and since 2014, has served as a Teaching Artist for DCP’s sister organization, Musicopia. In that role, she has brought a successful Bollywood Dance Assembly and Residency program to schools and communities across the Delaware Valley. She also worked in Client Services and Sales for more than 12 years for a software solutions company, volunteered full-time for The United Way of South Eastern PA as a Web Applications Developer, served as Ad-Hoc Faculty at Sri Krishna Institute of Engineering and Technology, Kurukshetra, and is a story contributor to the book “88+ Ways Music Can Change Your Life.”
“We are so happy to have Swati on board as our new Program Director, and are excited by her passion to inspire and bring students together through dance,” said Catherine Charlton, Executive Director of Dancing Classrooms Philly and Musicopia. “Swati takes over for Kate Lombardi, who now serves as our Philanthropy Manager. Over many years, Kate laid a fabulous groundwork creating and building relationships with schools and community partners, and we are thrilled to now have Kate’s expertise as a fundraiser.”
Swati celebrates culture and diversity and brings people together using Bollywood dance as her vehicle. “I have continuously witnessed how dance empowers students and inspires joy!” said Swati. “I truly believe that dance is a medium that brings people together and cuts across social barriers. It is my honor to contribute to DCP’s mission as it closely aligns with my own personal mission and values.”
Dancing Classrooms Philly’s mission is to foster self-esteem, social awareness, and joy in children by providing the opportunity to learn and perform ballroom dance through school residencies, a Saturday Academy program, and their Allstars. Through ballroom dance instruction, they help to improve the climate of school communities across the Philadelphia region by building confidence in students, breaking down social barriers, and inspiring respect for all individuals. They envision transformative arts programs in all school communities that nurture creativity, build confidence, and promote a culture of mutual respect and well-being.
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