Summer Intensive 2026

JULY 13-19 2026

Odissi Odyssey: Moving Praxis, Transforming Worlds is the inaugural Residential Summer Intensive dedicated to the study, practice, and pedagogy of Odissi. Designed as an immersive learning environment, the intensive brings together dancers, educators, and community participants to explore how South Asian dance traditions cultivate artistic excellence, cultural understanding, and transformative pedagogy. Led by internationally respected gurus and scholars, the program offers multiple learning pathways tailored to different levels of experience and professional goals.

Community Track
Dance for Curiosity, Culture, and Joy

The Community Track welcomes individuals who are interested in experiencing the beauty and philosophy of Odissi in an inclusive and supportive environment. No prior experience in Indian classical dance is required.

Participants will explore foundational movement vocabulary, rhythmic awareness, and expressive storytelling while learning about the cultural and historical contexts of the form. The track emphasizes joyful movement, cultural literacy, and community connection, making it ideal for adults, hobbyists, and dance enthusiasts who want to engage deeply with South Asian dance traditions.

Participants will experience:

Introductory Odissi movement training
Guided workshops on gesture and storytelling
Cultural discussions on South Asian dance traditions
Informal performance sharing at the end of the intensive

Pre-Professional Track 13-17
Training the Next Generation of Classical Dancers

The Pre-Professional Track is designed for dedicated young dancers seeking rigorous training in Odissi technique and performance practice. This track supports students who are pursuing serious dance study and wish to deepen their understanding of the technical, rhythmic, and expressive dimensions of the form.

Participants will engage in daily technique classes, repertory training, rhythmic exercises, and sessions focused on expressive interpretation (abhinaya). The curriculum emphasizes discipline, artistic development, and embodied learning.

Participants will develop:

Strong technical foundations in Odissi
Greater rhythmic precision and musicality
Skills in expressive storytelling and character portrayal
Experience working with master teachers in an intensive training environment

Professional Track 18+
Advanced Artistic Practice and Creative Inquiry

The Professional Track is intended for experienced dancers, performers, and choreographers who wish to deepen their engagement with Odissi as a sophisticated performance practice and creative research methodology.

Participants will engage in advanced technique sessions, repertory exploration, improvisational inquiry, and discussions on the role of classical dance traditions in contemporary artistic practice. The track encourages artists to reflect on how Odissi’s aesthetic principles can inform new choreographic ideas, interdisciplinary collaborations, and global performance practices.

Professional participants will engage in:

Advanced technique and repertory training
Intensive workshops on abhinaya and performance interpretation
Dialogues on contemporary performance and classical traditions
Collaborative artistic exploration

Educator Track
South Asian Dance Pedagogy for the Classroom

The Educator Track focuses on the pedagogical dimensions of Odissi and South Asian dance traditions. Designed for K–12 teachers, university faculty, and community arts educators, this track explores how classical dance knowledge can be translated into meaningful educational practice.

Participants will learn strategies for integrating movement, gesture, rhythm, and storytelling into classroom environments while examining how dance can support cultural literacy, creativity, and interdisciplinary learning.

Led in part by Dr. Marissa Nesbit, the teacher training component provides practical tools for educators seeking to incorporate South Asian dance traditions into arts curricula and community programming.

Educators will gain: