Sheela Kakkad

1975–1978

BA in Indian Classical Dancing Nateshwar Kala Mandir, India – Specialising in Kathak (North Indian Style) and Folk Dances of India under Shri Gopi Krishna.

I was also trained by Shri Gopi Krishna to choreograph dances in film and to date have danced in two films, ‘Mili’ and ‘Mein Tusli Tere Anganki’

1976

Beauty Culture and Hair Styling:
Fairyland Academy of Beauty Culture, Mumbai
Peel Street, Morley, Leeds

1984

Introduction to Computer and Basic Cobol Programming
ICL Education and Training Centre

1978–1984

Photos Limited, Nairobi, Kenya (Director)

Duties: Worked as Assistant Shop Manager and also helped with Public Relations.

Part-time dance teacher at Sclaters Kindergarden Aga Khan Primary School

Sheela’s Kala Kendra:
Ran own dancing school, teaching Indian Classical Dancing to students of all ages

1985–1987

Lohanna Community, North London
Teacher of Kathak and Folk Dances. Also produced and choreographed dances for community festivals and concerts

1986

‘Rachna’ —
Founded by me as an independant dance school. It was affiliated to the Youth and Community of Harrow. In 1989 Rachna’s scope and outlook were broadened and became School of Indian Culture. At present over 40 students are enrolled at the School of Indian Culture

1985–1990

Kwik Foto Limited, a subsidiary of Colorama Processing Laboratories Ltd. Position: Shop Manageress. Duties: Day to day running of the shop as a photo processing outlet, dealing with customers’ orders, queries, branch book-keeping, banking, etc.

1990–1993

Continued to teach at ‘Rachna’

1993–1994

The Swaminarayan School: part-time dance teacher

1994 to Present

The Swaminarayan School: Dance co-ordinator and full time dance teacher. Duties: Teaching Kathak, Folk and popular dance to classes ranging from nursery to year 9; co-ordinating and organising various cultural programmes throughout the school year; preparing students every year for participation in the National Music Festival for Youth.

Most recent project was the preparation of children for the dance drama Ramayan presented at the Victoria and Albert Museum for general public viewing.

Preparing students for road show performances with regard to marketing purposes for the school.

Preparing upper Junior and Senior students for Prayag Sangeet Samiti exams and ISTD graded exams in Kathak style.

Regularly preparing children for on-going events such as open days, religious festivals, annual school fete and Prize Giving days.

By being employed in the main stream school, I am familiar with the general school duties such as covering other teachers in their absence, lunch and break duties and also attending various inset days.