A west London school of Bollywood dance leapt to new heights recently when a troop of 20 performers were asked to appear in and dance for the music video of a popular boy band.
Sapnay School of Dance in Rayners Lane added to what has become an enviable record of success by providing some of the funky flips and wacky whirls that make up the choreography in Sucker, the latest single by the Jonas Brothers.
In their comeback video released on February 28, the boyish trio pay tribute to the three special ladies in their lives – not least Priyanka Chopra, wife of Nick Jonas who was instrumental in bringing the theme of the video into being. The pair were married in December.
Thanks to the artistic direction and choreography of Sapnay School mother and daughter team, Ash and Prabhleen Oberoi, Sucker was a riot of success destined for the Number One spot in the charts.
Sapnay, meaning ‘dreams’, sent a company of dancers to work with movement director Jerry Reeve, led by Ash and Prabhleen who described the entire experience as a “dream come true”.
As well as Priyanka Chopra, the video also features Sophie Turner, who is engaged to Joe Jonas, and Danielle Jonas, who is married to Kevin.
The brothers, who sing about being ‘suckers’ for the women, decided to set their latest music video in the prim and proper grounds of an English manor house complete with Corgis and candelabras.
But it was Ash and Prabhleen who helped to choreograph much of the cast’s jaunty dance moves, including an ensemble scene set around a large dinner table that quickly goes from stately home to state of emergency.
Speaking about the experience, Ash said: “Being part of the Sucker music video was such a pleasure. Firstly, to meet such humble celebrities, and secondly working on the video with a collective team of creatives allowing us to challenge ourselves bringing the best to the forefront in terms of ideas and choreography. For me the whole thing was fun and fabulous and certainly one for the books.”
Prabhleen added: “To do the choreography and dance for the Jonas Brothers was a project I’ll never forget - from meeting Priyanka and Nick and hearing their vision to seeing it all come alive in the video.
“I love being part of projects that challenge me and push my creative boundaries - this project was certainly one of those.
“My team was incredible as always and working with them never really feels like work. The whole project was a huge success and to know that I was a part of it feels very humbling. I know there’s a lot more in store for the future and I’m excited to see what comes our way next.”
Sapnay School of Dance’ story has been one of seemingly limitless success that shows no sign of slowing down.
Sapnay School of Dance
Ash said: “My passion for dance stemmed from an early age and to take my passion and turn it into a business without losing sight of why I started my school in the first place is the everyday reminder from my very own students who share the same passion and desire that I do.”
With dance centres in Harrow, Northwood, Kingsbury, Finchley and now Ilford, this mother daughter enterprise also has a body of professional accomplishments that elevate it well above a typical Bollywood dance school.
Sapnay School were the first ever Bollywood dance champions in the United Kingdom, they are the first Bollywood Guinness World Record holders and they qualified as semi-finalists in one of the largest dance shows in Britain, ‘Got to Dance’, aired on Sky One.
Prabhleen, the Harrow born London School of Economics student and 21-year-old daughter of Ash Oberoi, followed in her mother’s footsteps who inspired her to work hard and dance harder to become the company’s head choreographer.
She started dancing at age four, taught by Ash. The aspiring performer learned all forms of dance, from Ballet, to Jazz, to Contemporary and Hip Hop, but not least Bollywood.
To date, her talents have led the 21-year-old to collaborate with other celebrities such as Jay Sean, Kanika Kapoor and Imran Khan.
Prabhleen said: “Having danced since I was four-years-old and having trained in various dance styles - dancing and choreographing are two things I feel incredibly passionate about. To be creative is one of the greatest gifts I think a person can have and to be able to call it your job is even better. I feel lucky that I can say that I love to dance and I love to create too – nothing in this world feels more natural to me.”
Ash added: "My thanks for working alongside the amazingly talented Jerry Reeve, Mark Jennings and Anthony Mandler - and for their vision.”
http://www.sapnay.co.uk/
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