Our Founder
Aanal Sheth
Artistic Director • Choreographer • Dance Educator
Watch Aanal's talk at TedXTysons 2017 to learn more about her background, her philosophy of dance and teaching and the journey that led to Studio Dhoom!
Aanal Sheth is a versatile dancer, choreographer, and above all, a teacher at heart.
Trained in Kuchipudi and experienced in Indian folk, semi-classical, Bollywood, and contemporary dance styles, dance and teaching have been an integral part of her life from an early age.
After earning her M.Ed. in e-Learning and Instructional Design from George Mason University and building a career with a nationally recognized nonprofit organization, Aanal chose to follow her true passion for teaching dance after the birth of her first son. Her background in education and instructional design continues to shape her approach to teaching—combining structured learning with creativity, cultural connection, and joy.
Aanal began Studio Dhoom as a small dance class with just two students and one simple belief:
“Culture is sacred. Preserving it should be fun!”
What began with those two students has grown under her vision into a thriving dance community across seven locations in the DMV, where she has taught and mentored thousands of dancers over the years. Many of her students have gone on to join and lead collegiate dance teams, becoming captains and choreographers themselves and continuing to share their love of Indian dance and culture.
As a choreographer and artistic director, Aanal’s work has reached some of the country’s most celebrated stages and events. Her choreography has been presented at the White House for the historic welcome of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Kennedy Center, Times Square, the Embassy of India, the National Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington Wizards halftime shows, Hersheypark, and Kings Dominion. She has also choreographed performances for several Bollywood celebrity shows at prestigious venues including Warner Theatre and EagleBank Arena, and was part of choreographing the monumental World Culture Festival Garba presentation featuring 10,000 dancers.
Despite Studio Dhoom’s growth and the remarkable stages her work has reached, Aanal still considers herself a teacher first. Her mission remains the same as when she welcomed those first two students: to connect the next generation to Indian culture through dance, nurture confidence and leadership, and make preserving our heritage joyful, meaningful, and fun.
Meet Our Team
Girish Belapallu
Creative and Performance Lead
Acclaimed Bollywood Dance Maestro, Mr. Belapallu, boasts over 20 years of unparalleled expertise. A distinguished veteran, he has collaborated with illustrious choreographers and Bollywood icons, while showcasing the richness of South Asian culture worldwide. His mission is to propagate the vibrant legacy of Indian dance across the United States, elevating cultural awareness and artistic excellence
Execution Lead and Senior Instructor
Chakradhar Warang
Mr. Warang is an accomplished Bollywood dancer and choreographer with over eight years of professional experience. He has performed in numerous international shows and served as a lead performer at Dubai Bollywood Parks. His accolades include winning Dance Plus (V Company), multiple underground dance battles, and earning a Gold Medal at the Indian Hip-Hop Dance Championship in 2018. A certified Zumba Instructor, Mr. Warang brings dynamic energy, strong technique, and performance-driven training to every class.
Sujin Shetty
Instructor
Mr. Shetty is a passionate and experienced choreographer with over 12 years in the dance industry. He is the founder and creative lead of MINUS3 Crew India and brings a strong background in Bollywood, Indo-Western, and Indian cultural dance styles. His work includes choreographing and performing for stage productions, corporate events, music videos, weddings, and educational programs.
As a dedicated instructor, Mr. Shetty has taught dancers of all ages and skill levels, focusing on technique, musicality, performance quality, and confidence. He is known for creating energetic, engaging classes that encourage discipline, creativity, and teamwork in a positive learning environment.
Bhavana Sharma
Instructor
Bhavana Sharma is a dance instructor, choreographer, and performer specializing in Kathak, Semi-Classical, Bollywood, and Fusion. With 18 years of formal Kathak training, she brings a strong foundation in Indian classical dance along with extensive experience in contemporary and Bollywood styles. A disciple of renowned Kathak artist Dr. Shubhada Gokhale, Bhavana trained through Akhil Bhartiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya and earned First Class in Visharad Pratham, an advanced qualification in Kathak. As an instructor, Bhavana is passionate about preserving Indian culture while making dance engaging and accessible for students of all ages and skill levels. Her teaching combines strong technique, creativity, discipline, and performance skills, helping students grow into confident and expressive dancers.
Patricia Anne
Executive Assistant
Patricia is the Executive Assistant of Studio Dhoom, working remotely from the Philippines. With over eight years of professional experience in the corporate sector, she brings strong organizational, administrative, and coordination skills to the studio’s daily operations.
Behind the scenes, Patricia plays a key role in handling student enrollment, maintaining student records, supporting recital and event preparation, and managing various administrative processes that keep the studio running smoothly. She also closely assists the Studio Directors with day-to-day affairs, ensuring clear communication, efficiency, and seamless workflow across teams.