JDC Bio
Junoon Dance Company was founded by Gemini Bhimani in 2009. Starting off by teaching/choreographing for private lessons and performing with the dance troupe at special events around Chicago, JDC has grown tremendously. Moving to a studio in 2015, we started off we just 2 students and 1 instructor, and now we are continuously growing with over 40 students and 7 instructors. JDC teaches all ages and backgrounds Indian style dances, no matter the students' experience. Dance forms we teach include: bollywood, folk, semiclassical, and fusion styles. JDC teaches classes, workshops, private lessons, and fitness classes, and performs with the JDC Passion Dance Team at various events around the Chicagoland area. Our mission is to spread creativity, passion, and confidence to all our students through the art of dance. We firmly believe that dancing is not only about physical movements- it enables us to express our emotions, find our confidence, and discover our true abilities. Everyone and anyone can dance- and we can help you discover your passion and talent. Everyone has a passion- ours is dance.
Meet Our Instructors
Gemini Bhimani
Director | Founder | Instructor
Dance is my passion! I have been dancing since I was 4 years old and am trained in Bharatnatym by Smt. Toral Chaudhari of Nrutya Kalashree Dance Academy, completing my Arengetram at the age of 14. My dance experience includes: tap dancing, ballet, bharatnatym, bollywood, and other forms of Indian dance. I began choreographing at the age of 8, when I choreographed a dance for my elementary school's talent show. After that, I started choreographing students from my dance school, Nrutya Kalashree Dance Academy, for special events and occasions. I took that and started Junoon Dance Company when I was 17, teaching private lessons and having my dance troupe perform at local events, while practicing at India House, my garage, student's basements, and my backyard. Junoon finally moved to a home in 2015 and things have never been so amazing. I love teaching my students of all ages and backgrounds and hanging out with my awesome instructors, or Junooners! Since the beginning of JDC, I have been honored to teach, perform, and dance for various prestigious events around the Chicago-land area. I am so thankful to everyone who has made this possible for Junoon and me!
Aside from Junoon, I am also the Chicago Brand Ambassador for the Learn Bhangra App, hold a degree a psychology and currently pursuing my second bachelor's degree in nursing. I have an extensive background working with children, including working with children on the autism spectrum for 2 years as an applied behavioral analyst. With my nursing degree, I hope to further help children who are impacted by mental health issues. In my free time, I volunteer for the Make A Wish foundation and love to cook and bake!
Aside from Junoon, I am also the Chicago Brand Ambassador for the Learn Bhangra App, hold a degree a psychology and currently pursuing my second bachelor's degree in nursing. I have an extensive background working with children, including working with children on the autism spectrum for 2 years as an applied behavioral analyst. With my nursing degree, I hope to further help children who are impacted by mental health issues. In my free time, I volunteer for the Make A Wish foundation and love to cook and bake!
Sweta Bhagwakar
Assistant Director
Instructor
My name is Sweta Bhagwakar and I am the Assistant Director and Instructor at JDC. I have been dancing since I was 5 and have learned ballet/tap, hip-hop, and am classically trained in Bharatnatyam having completed my Arangetram in 2007. I also love to dance to Bollywood songs for events or just for fun! Along with dancing, I work full time as an Accountant.
Kajol Topiwala
Instructor
Hello! My name is Kajol Topiwala, and I am a dance-aholic. Dancing has been an integral part of my life since the day I was born. I had my first stage performance at the age of three, and have been dancing ever since. Through the years, I have dabbled in different forms of the art such as ballet, hip-hop, bharatnatyam, and of course Bollywood. At the age of 6, I began my formal bharatnatyam training at NrutyaKalashree Dance Academy and successfully completed my arangetram in 2014, the same year I joined Junoon. There is absolutely nothing in this world that brings me greater joy than to share my love of dance with the children here at Junoon.
Rumi Shah
Instructor
Dance has been my passion since I was 5 years old. My style includes traditional folk, hip hop and Bollywood. I have been with Junoon Dance company for year and half but have been performing and choreographing for 25 plus years. I have been in many competitions and have won many awards. Currently I teach an advanced adult class at Junoon. I have two adorable sons who share the same passion as mommy...dancing! In my free time, which I don't have much of, I like to watch movies, cuddle with my sons and catch up on my sleep.
Dance with your heart and your feet will follow!
Aahuti Desai
Instructor
My name is Aahuti Desai. I have been dancing ever since I was 6 years old. I have been trained in Kathak though I didn't get to finish. Dancing has always been a part of my life and I really enjoy being able to teach others! I've been with Junoon for a year now and I love it! I enjoy being around kids and teaching them how dance makes it even more fun!
Aditya Kapoor
Instructor
My name is Aditya Kapoor and I am the instructor for the Desi Dudes! I have preforming on stage with music since I was 10 years old and when I got to high school I began to perform on stage as a dancer. I am a Psychology major who is wanting to pursue higher education, but I also never want to forget how much of an impact dance has had on my life. From the friendships I've made to the leadership skills that I've built, I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world!
Ujwal Patel
Instructor
My name is Ujwal. I have been dancing since I was in 7th grade. I was a student at Shiamak Davar's dance school in Mumbai for a semester. Then I switched to another dance school where I learnt not only the basics but also the "why" and "how" of dance. I was able to explore myself and my style as a dancer. Dance is not only a hobby for me but it is a form of getaway for me.