Colleena Shakti is an artist of great subtlety and depth. Trained extensively in Odissi classical dance under Smt. Sujata Mohapatra and well-versed in many styles of dance from India and beyond, Colleena lives an artistic path steeped in rich tradition. Yoga, aesthetics and related philosophies are an integral part of her holistic vision of art inspiring her to bridge timeless values with modern expression.
She has had the great fortune to study under some of India’s greatest masters over more than two decades in: Odissi and Kathak dance, Yoga, Kalaripayattu (Indian Martial Arts) and Rajasthani dance. It is her years of immersive study, living with her Gurus and traditional practitioners in India that has given Colleena her depth of insight and ability to translate nuance to her students and audiences.
Colleena has thoughtfully carved her own way in fusion dance projects that celebrate a creative play on the Indian aesthetic experience. Her fusion dance is noted for its elegant reimagining of world dance elements that epitomize grace, femininity, refinement and intricacy.
As an internationally-renowned performing artist, Colleena offers an extraordinarily diverse dance repertoire showcased in both theater and festival stages. She has performed for former president of India (Pratibha Patil), royal families across Rajasthan, Indian Embassy at Cairo, Chidambaram Nataraj temple and arts festivals from Japan to Australia.
Colleena is the founder and director of Shakti School of Dance located in the Rang Nath Venu Gopal Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan India where she also annually produces The Pushkar Temple Dance Festival. Recently she has added a Summer school program and retreat center at Villa Shakti Crete, Greece and launched online curriculum at her virtual school. Many who seek her instruction find a gentle bridging of tradition and innovation in the structured dance training and reflective philosophical teachings.