Interview Notes on Dance and Cultural Identity

  • Introduction

    • The speaker has a double degree in Finance (BS) and International Relations (BA).
    • Future career interest in global business, specifically in mergers and acquisitions and corporate development.
    • Accepted a full-time job post-graduation at Gartner, a management consulting firm, working in the finance department.

  • Background

    • Raised in Queens, NYC, will move back home while traveling to Connecticut for work.
    • Involved in diverse academic pursuits, including a minor in anthropology and clusters in Spanish and French.

  • Cultural Heritage

    • Fully Bengali; father from Bangladesh, mother from Golgotha, India.
    • Speaks Bengali at home; family maintains traditional practices, including cooking Bengali food.
    • Personal experience with cultural dance reflecting both heritage and Western upbringing.

  • Dance Journey

    • Started classical dance at age four, motivated by older sister's involvement.
    • Initially hated dance but rekindled interest around age six or seven, influenced by sister's success.
    • Has trained in two out of seven Indian classical dance styles, with a strong foundation in performing arts, influenced by a close relationship with her dance teacher.

  • Experiences in Dance

    • Quit dance during junior year of high school, facing mental health challenges and issues related to self-image, intensified by a strict dance teacher's comments.
    • Dance teacher passed away during senior year; significant emotional impact on her decision to continue dancing.

  • Joining Rumboli

    • Joined the campus dance team Rumboli during sophomore year, which was a pivotal recovery period for her mental health and cultural connection.
    • Found friendship, support, and a sense of belonging among peers.
    • Transitioned from member to choreographer, recognizing her own creative abilities in dance.

  • Cultural Connection through Dance

    • Joining Rumboli expanded her understanding of diverse Indian cultures and dance styles beyond her North Indian background.
    • Engages in cultural exchanges with teammates, learning about different traditions and languages, enriching her cultural identity.

  • Leadership Role

    • Elected as team captain, focusing on choreography and dancer development.
    • Values encouraging team cohesion while recognizing individual strengths.
    • The role allows her to balance structured dance with creative expression, emphasizing the inherent uniqueness of each dancer.

  • Balance between Academics and Dance

    • Manages academic responsibilities as a Finance and IR major with dance commitments.
    • Planning to maintain involvement in dance through potential engagement with her sister's dance team after graduation, despite challenges presented by a career in finance.

  • Advice for Aspiring Dancers

    • Encourages commitment and open-mindedness when joining groups, emphasizing practice and participation as key to improvement.
    • Expresses desire for inclusion and positive environment within the dance community.

  • Future Plans

    • Intends to pursue dance workshops or classes in New York City post-graduation to continue personal growth in dance.
    • Interested in choreographing and collaborating with local dance teams, including her sister's group.