Daily Inspiration: Meet Ritu Patel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ritu Patel.

Hi Ritu, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started dancing with T2 Dance Company back in Fall of 2022. Little did I know how much of an impact this phenomenal dance company would have in my life. Anisha and Sonali, the founders, created a space for women to reignite their passion for dance. This is something that had been missing for many years in my life. I grew up in Houston and danced for as long as I can remember. I started with Pratima Shah and learned traditional Gujarati folk dance and then joined Anjali Center for Performing Arts with Rathna Kumar. The passion of dance continued throughout college at Texas A&M and medical school at American University of Antigua. With the responsibilities of life starting to increase, dance got less of my time. After COVID, I felt it was important to put some focus on self care and that is when I found T2 Dance Company. When I look back to my first class I took with them, I could feel the energy and the joy that dance brings to my life grow.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Overall, the road to get to where I am with T2 Dance Company has not been filled with too many challenges but trying to juggle a full time career with responsibilities of being a dance instructor can get hard sometimes. The desire to be that teacher that ignites the passion that my teachers awoke in me is very important. Carving out the time to be present with my students is of great importance but can be challenging at times with the responsibilities of being a full time physician.
To say that Anisha, Sonali, and the entire T2 community put their hearts and souls into what they do would be an understatement. The dedication is constant-these women work tirelessly to bring each vision to life. This past year, we hosted our very first Diwali event at POST, an experience that truly embodied the founders’ vision and was brought to life through the collective efforts of T2 leadership. There was a lot of learning and figuring things out as we went along, which came with its own challenges.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
T2 Dance Company specializes in Bollywood dance styles and offers instruction for dancers ranging from ages 3 to 70+. At our core, we focus on inspiring confidence and reminding our dancers that with dedication, consistency, and practice, there are no limits to what they can achieve.
We offer performance-based classes for all age groups, including Munchkins, Juniors, Adults, and Sahelis, as well as private choreography for weddings and other special events. T2 is deeply rooted in the community and performs at a wide range of venues-from South Asian cultural events and elementary schools to nursing homes and unique spaces like Meow Wolf, where we performed this past November and Houston Rockets.
What truly sets T2 apart is our inclusivity. We welcome dancers of all skill levels and take the time to break down choreography step by step, ensuring that beginners—no matter their age-feel supported and empowered. We firmly believe it’s never too late to start dancing. This philosophy extends beyond movement; dance becomes a tool for improving mental health, confidence, and overall wellness.
I’m especially proud of T2’s commitment to “dancing for a cause.” Each month, we spotlight and support a different charity, reinforcing the idea that dance can be both joyful and impactful. Being part of a company that prioritizes community, purpose, and personal growth is what makes this work so meaningful to me.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
I do not have a response to this question

Contact Info:

• Instagram: tx2_dance

Image Credits
Ritu Patel, Dhea Patel, Sonali Patel, Anisha Gupta