Staff Spotlight: Get to know Ms. Pooja

Meet Mrs. Pooja Mehta, Owner and Director of Jhalak Dance Academy. Pooja earned her BA in Theater Arts and Minor in Technological Entrepreneurship from the University of Maryland, College Park. She has been dancing since she was a little girl and used to teach dance for family parties. Pooja started dancing in her high school Bollywood dance team and performed at various events. Pooja has also learned Bharatnatyam and Kathak. She is furthering her education in Kathak. Ms. Pooja opened Jhalak Dance Academy in 2015 and has been teaching Bollywood Fusion dance to children and adults. She has also planned many successful events.

“Dance is a beautiful art. Dance is a way to express yourself. Dance is a way to relieve your stress. Anybody can dance!” ~ Pooja Mehta

We asked Pooja to tell us a few things about herself that her Jhalak family might enjoy knowing.

Here are a few fun things some of you might not know about Ms. Pooja:

“I attended the famous choreographer & dancer, Dharmesh Yelande’s workshop. (First celebrity I have ever met!) I was so mesmerized that when I left the workshop I took 2 wrong exits and kept going in circles even though the GPS was on.”

“I was born and brought up in Maryland. My husband is from India. We were introduced by our parents and we dated for 2 years. (And it was long distance!)”

“I am a Bollywood Drama Queen!”

What is the greatest advice a mentor ever gave you?

“You are the one that can help yourself. Once you make up your mind, anything is possible!”

With a busy schedule in hand, how do you refocus yourself?

“I take time to spend with my family, friends, and especially my husband. I also enjoy listening to encouraging talks by influencers.”

We are very lucky to have Ms. Pooja as our Director. We wish Ms. Pooja all the best in making Jhalak Dance Academy a success!