Our Founder
Aanal Sheth
Teacher, Choreographer, Dancer
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 is an accomplished dancer, choreographer and teacher.
Trained in Indian classical Kuchipudi dance form and in multiple Indian folk and semi-classical dances as well as western and contemporary dances, Aanal has been dancing all her life. After earning her M.Ed in e-Learning and Instructional design from George Mason University and a career at a nationally renowned non-profit, she decided to pursue her true passion of teaching dance after the birth of her first son.
Having heard from numerous people including children learning Indian classical and other dance forms, she realized that existing dance instruction was missing one key ingredient – a personal connection with youth & motivation. She started her first dance class with 2 students and a simple motto “Culture is sacred. Preserving it should be fun!”. Combining her dance background with her instructional design skills, Studio Dhoom now has more than 400 active dancers of all age groups. Working under the umbrella of Bollywood dancing, she has helped promote the vibrant and culture-rich traditional genres of Indian dancing including folk and semi-classical dancing styles.
Aanal’s work and contributions have been recognized across the community and Studio Dhoom students have won many competitions and performed at prestigious events such as the NBA Washington Wizards half-time show, several Bollywood concerts at Warner Theater and EagleBank Arena, the Hershey Park and the National Cherry Blossom festival.
She draws strength and continued passion realizing the impact of her work on passing on the rich cultural heritage to the next generation through the medium of dance – all while having fun in a warm, friendly, cheerful and safe environment!
Meet Our Team
Girish Bellapu
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
Chakradhar Warang
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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.
Shazia Dunniho
Afterschool Program Coordinator
A Master’s level professional with outstanding verbal, written and analytic skills. Ms. Dunnihoo possesses 25 years of work experience in medical Human Resources and Elementary school and College teaching. Ms. Dunnihoo is adept at creating lesson plans and tests, as well as assessing student comprehension and reinforcing curriculum concepts. She strives to instill the "love for learning and exploring" so that students can be successful in any subject matter including Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. (STEM).
Her style of teaching consists of hands-on activities, project-based learning, inquiry and peer learning. Having Elementary school-going grandchildren of her own, Ms. Dunnihoo is loving and nurturing of children. Teaching etiquette and respect is also part of her teaching style.
Abhilash Mulay
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An experienced and versatile dance teacher and choreographer, he brings a passionate commitment to teaching students of all age groups. He is proficient in a wide range of dance styles, including Bollywood, Semi-Classical, Folk, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary. He excels in demonstration and effective student interaction, creating a dynamic, engaging, and motivating learning environment.
His dedication lies in nurturing creativity, technique, and artistry in aspiring dancers while fostering a positive, inclusive, and supportive atmosphere. Throughout her accomplished career, she has showcased his expertise across diverse settings, successfully teaching and choreographing for school students, renowned dance institutes, corporate events, NGOs, private training sessions, music videos, films, and weddings.
Sujin Shetty
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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.
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.