Meet our Instructors

Agni Dance instructors are passionate and experienced professionals trained in various styles of dance.
Their mission is to ensure that each student reaches their full potential as a dancer and as an individual.

Rohit RAMACHANDRAN

Rohit Ramachandran graduated with a distinction in Attakkalari’s Diploma in Movement Arts and Mixed Media, and he has studied & trained in Bharatanatyam, Ballet, and Contemporary dance techniques. Not to forget his hidden power unleashing an epic Bollywood dance class

Shweta Upadhyay

Shweta Upadhyay is a professionally trained Classical Odissi dancer who continues to learn and practice this art form. She has choreographed and performed extensively in Bollywood, semi-classical, folk, and other Indian dance styles. Passionate about teaching, she provides engaging and supportive instruction to students of all ages, especially children. She strives to create a positive learning environment that nurtures confidence, creativity, and artistic expression.

MARGI MEHTA

Margi Mehta has been a trained Bharatnatyam dancer and currently practices multiple forms of dance such as Bollywood, semi-classical, folk dances and hip-hop fusion. She has been teaching dance across all age groups and skill levels since a little over 4 years now.

Jyothi Poruri

Jyothi Poruri is a trained dancer in Bharatnatyam and various other forms of  dance. After successfully completing her Arangetram and running a Bharatnatyam dance school in Pennsylvania, she shifted her focus to Bollywood dancing, Bollyhop, semi classical and Garba. In addition to being an instructor at the Agni Dance Academy with 7 semesters under her belt, Jyothi is a popular instructor at AgniFit and a proud member of the Agni Performance Team. 

Ashwini Tayshetye

Ashwini's dance journey began at the age of 6, and after 10 years of training, she became Visharad in bharatnatyam . Driven by her passion for dance, she went on to complete a Bachelor's degree in Classical Dance. Over the years, she has expanded her training and performance experience across a variety of dance styles, including Bharatanatyam, Folk, Regional Indian dance, Bollywood, Semi-Classical, and Zumba. 

Kavya Devani

Kavya has been exploring and loving dance since she was 4 years old. Over the years, she has had the opportunity to learn a variety of dance styles, including Bharatanatyam, contemporary, jazz, Bollywood, and she is currently training in Kathak. Learning from many talented gurus with different backgrounds has deepened her love for dance, and she is excited to share that passion while creating a fun, energetic, and welcoming environment for everyone.

Poojah

Poojah is a Bollywood dance instructor passionate about sharing the joy of dance with kids and adults. Trained in Western dance at the John Britto Dance Company, she brings a dynamic blend of technique, energy, and creativity to every class.  Poojah has choreographed and performed at numerous community events across Austin, including NBA performances and cultural association events, inspiring dancers of all ages to build confidence and express themselves through movement.

MANALI PATEL

Manali's journey with dance began at the age of five. She trained in Bharatanatyam for ten years, building a strong classical foundation, while always nurturing a deep passion for Bollywood dance. She joined Agni as a performance team member in 2016 and transitioned into teaching two years ago. Since then, she has discovered immense joy in working with children, inspiring them through dance while helping them build confidence, creativity, and teamwork.

SADHIKA

Sadhika is an exceptional dancer, specializes in expressions and regional dance forms. She has been teaching kids since a little over 4 years now and is the fan favorite teacher within that age group!

RIYA RAUT

Originally from Mumbai, India, Riya moved to the USA in 2022. Dancing has been an integral part of her life since childhood, performing on stage and building her confidence over the years. She has a special love for Bollywood dance and its vibrant energy.  She has excelled in various dance competitions, securing winner or runner-up positions. She has performed diverse styles, including Bollywood, Lavani, South Indian, and Jogwa

DARSHANa RANE

I am a passionate dancer who began my dance journey at the age of 6, training in Bharatanatyam for over 8 years and completing my Arangetram at the age of 13. I have since developed a versatile dance background, proficient in multiple styles including Hip-Hop, Contemporary, and Semi-Classical. As a student of Shiamak Academy, I have further expanded my dance expertise. 

AARCHI DOSHI

Aarchi is a trained dancer in Bollywood, Hip-hop, and Contemporary styles. From the vibrant stages of renowned cultural fests and dance competitions in India, including IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Bombay, PDPU, and Nirma University, she has earned recognition and appreciation, cherishing the titles she has won.
She’s Passionate about nurturing the next generation of dancers. She sees teaching as a profound responsibility and a source of immense joy.

STUTI MEHTA

Stuti has been a dedicated dancer since she was 7. She is proud to have achieved Nritya Visharad in Kathak. Dancing has been her lifelong passion, encompassing classical, Bollywood, semi-classical, folk, and western styles. She finds immense joy in sharing this art form with others.

YUGESHA SAPTE

 Yugesha excels in both Bollywood and Bharatnatyam dance forms. Her skills have been acknowledged through numerous participations in inter-college competitions. An ardent believer in the power of art, she is eager to make a positive impact in community.

Khushi Puri

Khushi is a recent film graduate and Bollywood dancer whose love for Hindi cinema began at a young age.Bollywood dance has always felt like home to her—it’s where storytelling, emotion, and movement come together. While she has explored styles like hip hop, contemporary, and aerial silks, Bollywood remains at the heart of my journey. In college, She was part of Texas Dhoom at UT Austin

Maitrayee Basu

She started my dance journey at the age of 5 with Bharatanatyam, and started incorporating Hip Hop, Bollywood, Odissi and Kathak through learning from teachers for community dances, stage performance for festivals and college dance team. She continues to expand my skills by going to different workshops and learning new trends

Sharvari

Sharvari is a dedicated lifelong Bollywood dancer along with four years of competitive Raas Garba experience. She loves sharing the joy and energy of dance while helping students build confidence, and most importantly have fun.

Aashami Gupta

Aashami has been dancing since the age of five, beginning with five years of formal Kathak training before expanding into hip hop and Bollywood. She has served as a Hip Hop Team Officer, performing at pep rallies and showcases, and is currently a member of UT Dance Action, specializing in hip hop.  Aashami has taught Bollywood dance to kids, teens, and adults, and is passionate about fostering an energetic, inclusive environment where dancers can build confidence, musicality, and strong performance skills.