Indian Dance Academy Opens In Tri-Valley

DUBLIN, CA — Riar Academy of Performing Arts is bringing a taste of Bollywood to the Bay Area.

Known as RAPA, the academy recently opened a Dublin studio at 7727 Amador Valley Blvd. to offer weekly, year-round dance training to Tri-Valley residents of all ages and skill levels. The academy, which also has locations in Fremont and Milpitas, said in an email that it specializes in Bollywood and classical Kathak dance styles.

"The RAPA curriculum is unique in that it specifically focuses on encouraging students’ self-growth through positive, step-wise, and attainable goals," the academy wrote. "Our highly trained, professional, and culturally-attuned instructors make the dance experience fun and positive while facilitating key developmental milestones within our dancers; including building the positive characteristics of motivation, responsibility, integrity, positive body image, poise and grace, coordination, teamwork, good attitude, and discipline."

The academy was founded by Bollywood choreographer Karan Riar and his partner Meera Riar, a Kathak choreographer, performer and mentor.

Karar Riar has spent roughly 20 years in the Mumbai film industry, training stars such as Priyanka Chopra, Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, according to the academy.

Meera Riar has spent nearly 30 years practicing the Lucknow gharana of Kathak dance across three continents, according to the academy.

RAPA hopes to expand to offer additional dance, music and theatrical performing art programming.