Akademi Partners with Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund

Akademi is partnering with the Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund to support two emerging choreographers. The Marion North Mentoring Awards help choreographers at the beginning of their careers overcome artistic challenges by gaining invaluable advice and support from an experienced choreographer or dance artist

Beneficiaries of this year-long award are Akademi collaborators Archita Kumar and Katie Ryan, and their selection was announced on 1 December at The Bonnies, alongside the prestigious Bonnie Bird Awards.

Archita Kumar is a Kathak dancer who regularly performs and leads workshops for Akademi, and recently appeared in our production “Paradiso: Man’s Enduring Search for Perfection “. Archita will be mentored by choreographer Jose Agudo.

Katie Ryan is an Odissi dancer, also trained in contemporary technique, who has performed with companies including Akademi, Milapfest, Kala Sangam and Balbir Singh Dance Company, and created new classical choreography for Odissi Ensemble, Kadam and others. Katie will be mentored by Seeta Patel.

Mira Kaushik, Director of Akademi, says: “We are delighted that the Bonnie Bird Choreography Fund has decided to work with Akademi to invest in the next generation of South Asian dance choreographers. Archita and Katie are both very promising talents and will gain a lot from their mentorships. This is a fantastic opportunity and Akademi looks forward to continuing to support their artistic development”