Today we’d like to introduce you to Rasika Borse
Hi Rasika, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My most memorable and profound memories as a child have always included dance and theatre. I was born in Mumbai, India and soon after moved to Doha, Qatar where I started my training in Bharatanatyam. At the age of eight, we moved to Montreal, Canada where I absolutely fell in love with Ballet—full credit goes to my mom! There were challenges and barriers—language being the biggest as I did not speak French at that point—but Ballet class felt like a safe space since we didn’t need language to communicate! To further my training, I fully immersed into the Ballet culture by moving away from my parents for the following three years to Belleville, Ontario to attend Quinte Ballet School of Canada. Following those years, we moved to Calgary, Alberta where I continued my training at The School of Alberta Ballet, and The Young Canadians School of The Performing Arts. I received my Bachelors in Dance in 2012 and finally moved to Texas where I received a Master of Fine Arts in Dance from Sam Houston State University. I am now proud to be teaching the next generation of dancers and intellectuals as an Adjunct Lecturer of Dance at Sam Houston State University. In 2020, during the height of Covid Pandemic, my best friend Jennah Mohamed and I created Bollywood Signature—a Bollywood dance company in Calgary—which has steadily grown to become a beautiful community of performers. And in May of this year, I founded RB Dance which trains dancers and enforces the idea of technique, foundations, and of course the joy of dance! My parents and husband have always played a key role in supporting my dreams and for that, I am forever grateful. I am now a proud mom of a 22-month old girl who keeps me on my toes and loves to have dance parties with me in our living room!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I like to think that the road has been one of growth and lots of learning. Every challenge came with an insight to improve and better myself. As the only Indian dancer in most dance schools and companies that I attended, I do remember not being cast in a specific role due to the color of my skin. I don’t think I realized that was an issue as it was happening, but in retrospect, the dance world needs to do better in terms of inclusion. Don’t get me wrong—we have definitely come a long way with Misty Copeland becoming the first African American Female Principal Dancer at ABT and Akram Khan making himself known to the world by creating stunning works that fuse Kathak (Indian classical dance) and contemporary dance—but that thought of being rejected for something you cannot change leaves a lasting impression on a young boy and girl. And that is something I continue to advocate with my role as a lecturer and now a dance company owner. Be proud of who you are and where you come from!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
RB Dance (RBD) was created in May 2023 to provide dancers of various ages a platform to learn dance either professionally or a recreationally. I have always been fond of showcasing my culture through Bollywood dance and all that the dances of India have to offer in general. I am honoured to have the unique perspective and training of western and eastern dance styles, and I am always looking for ways to show the world how both can compliment each other. My thesis concert as part of my MFA degree challenged this idea and I’m excited to continue this research through RB Dance. As a future goal, I would love to create performance opportunities for performers on a larger scale. I also offer personalized choreography services in which I create choreographies for clients who want to perform at events such as religious occasions, weddings, and much more! What truly sets RB Dance apart is the years of training and experience that I bring to the table. I am most proud of the community of wonderful dancers and humans we’ve built in the short span of three months, and I look forward to welcoming you into the world of RBD!
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’ve found that my mentors have always alined with my values and thoughts. I’d like to give a shoutout to those who have helped me become the creative I am today. Angela Benson from The Young Canadians School of Performing Arts in Calgary was my first mentor at a young age and she taught me patience, persistence, and dedication. I continue to carry her words and advice with me to this day. My next set of mentors came at Sam Houston State University and they also happened to be my thesis committee: Dana Nicolay, Jennifer Pontius, Dionne Noble, and Jessica Herzogenrath. Each of their unique perspectives and thoughts guided my thesis in a way I did not know was possible, and I cannot thank them enough! And lastly, my co-director of Bollywood Signature, Jennah Mohamed. Although we started BollySign together, it is her drive that keeps me excited for the future. Her passion to provide better for students, and her pure love for dance has always been inspiring and continues to motivate me!
As an introvert, I’ve had to teach myself how to network and to proudly wear the RB Dance name to every event I attend or to those I encounter. I do believe in the power of positivity and good vibes and that if you put yourself out there with good intentions, those will be reciprocated back to you. With that, I try to go to networking events, support local dance in the community, volunteer at events that may need help—anywhere I am able to meet new people! Through this process, I’ve learnt that I enjoy getting to know people and the stories that come with them. Networking used to seem like a scary and daunting task in the beginning, but I’m learning that it can be fun!
So my advice would be to put yourself out there! Talk to people, get to know them, and surround yourself with people that align with your ideals and values.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rbdancehouston.com
- Instagram: r.b.dance
- Other: info@rbdancehouston.com
Image Credits
Estephania Valle Cruz
