Shloka’s Commitment to Teens at LINES | Training from India

Meet Shloka Porwal, an alum from Teens at LINES who joined our program virtually during the pandemic—all the way from Jaipur, India. An admirer of the company and Alonzo King, Shloka was thrilled at the opportunity to train with LINES’ program for avid dancers ages 11–17. She’d often stay up until the early morning due to the time difference to train with our faculty, primarily taking classes in ballet and contemporary with additional exposure to modern, jazz, and Horton Technique.

After finishing her training at LINES, Shloka went on to audition for and get accepted into other prestigious programs, including Nederlands Dans Theater’s Summer Intensive and the dance departments at Boston Conservatory and SUNY Purchase. In the fall, she plans to attend NYU Tisch School of the Arts, double majoring in dance and psychology.

Before Teens at LINES’ Fall Session kicks off on September 9 in San Francisco, we asked Shloka about her experiences in our program and beyond. Read more about her story below—including her dream to open a dance center that integrates movement and mental health.

Interested in our in-person program Teens at LINES, or know someone who might be? Enrollment for our Fall Session is open to ages 11–17 at linesballet.org/teens. Students can also train with us next Sunday, August 20 during our Teens Summer Masterclass Series. To register, visit linesballet.org/event/teens-summer.

Interview by Erin McKay

Why did you start dancing? Did you grow up around dance?

I started dancing when I was 12 years old in a Bollywood/hip hop class a few lanes away from my house. None of my family members are dancers, and they never expected that one of their daughters would be a dancer. I come from a traditional family in Jaipur, India, and dance was never seen as a career option. However, many of my friends and cousins are trained in Kathak (the classical dance form from Uttar Pradesh) and Bharatnatyam (the classical dance form that originated in Tamil Nadu). Both of these forms are very influential in India. As for my parents, they love to explore new music and move to tunes at weddings or late-night dinners.

Shloka Porwal with her parents (far right and left) and sister (second to the right); Shloka Porwal (center) with her father and mother

What did your training look like leading up to Teens at LINES?

Before joining Teens at LINES, I studied contemporary dance, improvisation, choreography, and a little bit of ballet. Ballet is not readily available in India, so I’ve always been more involved in contemporary and improvisation. I also did hip hop, jazz, dancehall, and a little bit of Indian classical dance leading up to my journey at LINES.

How did you discover LINES Ballet? What made you want to join Teens at LINES?

I always loved watching LINES Ballet perform and hearing Mr. Alonzo King give talks. When LINES’ education programs started offering online classes, it was a dream come true. I knew I had to be a part of one of the programs, because I had always admired LINES dancers, their technique, and the way they moved. As I looked through the website, Teens at LINES ticked all of my boxes; it felt like a well-rounded program where I could improve my technique and artistry.

In what ways did the program challenge you and/or further develop your strengths?

I definitely improved my strengths in improvisation and choreography at Teens at LINES. Many times, we were given a fixed combination in contemporary and asked to mold it into our style while still keeping the essence of the movement. We played around with what the teacher showed us until it felt like our own.

Mr. Victor Talleods’ classes were especially demanding, but he really helped me develop my movement vocabulary. We actually created solos for the end-of-term showing off of choreography he demonstrated during class. He then coached us on our work and gave us personal feedback. His advice helped me better understand the basics of choreography and the endless possibilities I can work with.

Taking classes online was a bit hard at first too, but all the teachers took great care to ensure that we fully understood the combinations. I specifically remember how Mr. Victor gave us anecdotes from daily life, like “holding a cup of tea” or “walking on a slippery floor”, to make sure that we got the proper weight shifts or correct placements of the body.

Did any of the lessons you learned during Teens at LINES help you during your college auditions, the Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive, or the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp?

Yes! My training at Teens at LINES helped me gain the professional experience that was very much needed for my auditions at Boston Conservatory, SUNY Purchase, University of Michigan, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts—where I will be attending in the fall as a double major in dance and psychology.

In terms of the summer programs, LINES focus on technique and precision really helped me delve deeper into the craft at Perry Mansfield. While the professionalism and choreography aspects at LINES aided me at the Nederlands Dans Theater Summer Intensive. I would not have been able to get into, or complete, these programs without my rigorous training at LINES.

Shloka Porwal dancing outdoors at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp

Why do you dance now?

Surprisingly, I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with dance. There are days when all I want to do is dance, and days when I’d love to do anything else but it. Through all the ups and downs though, I know dance is a safe space for me.

Why do I dance now? Maybe because I have done it for so long. It’s become a part of my daily routine.

What do you think is the most important quality in a human being?

Staying humble 🙂

How did you balance your Teens at LINES training with your college auditions?

Handling the stress and video shoots, and then waiting to get the admission decisions, was a tedious process. But the people around me—including my family, my counselor Barrie Raffel, Ayush Periwal sir, and my teachers, Ernesta and Andra Corvino—were, and always will be, my strongest pillars!

Plus, all of my teachers, especially Mr. Victor, were very patient and supportive of me when I took classes at midnight after a whole day of auditions. Being from India, the time difference was vast; I sometimes had classes until 2am! However, I stayed motivated to give my best because of the passion of LINES’ teachers; they fostered a close-knit community! Their consideration helped me both get through those challenging times and improve throughout the curriculum.

Shloka Porwal’s college audition video for Boston Conservatory

What are your dreams? What do you want to contribute to your community and beyond?

One of my major dreams is to be a choreographer! Creating work about important personal, global, and social issues inspires me. I believe dance has the immense power to bring change! I hope to choreograph pieces which allow me and many others to see the world in a more positive light. Love, war, climate change, crime, and human rights are concerns of today, and I wish to talk about them through dance!

I also hope to have my own dance center—one that’s home to a touring company, a school, and a dance therapy counseling center that helps people lead healthier lives and have better mental health.

I guess it’s evident; I love all things art!

Shloka Porwal dancing outdoors at the Perry-Mansfield Performing Arts Camp

Footnote
*The Horton Technique is a codified modern dance technique developed by Lester Horton from 1920–1940. Based on anatomical studies, Native American dance, and other movement influences, this technique is rooted in clear lines and shapes, placing special emphasis on strengthening the body, proper alignment, and musical dynamics. Horton is taught in many of our pre-professional dance programs at LINES Ballet, including our Training Program and our BFA Program at Dominican University of California. If you’re interested in experiencing it for yourself, try out our online Horton class for ages 16+ with Victor Talldeos every Monday at 4:30pm PT. Visit our LINES Dance Center class schedule to sign up.

For further reading on the Horton Technique, visit our sources:
“Lester Horton”, alvinailey.org
“The Horton Technique in 17 Fortifications”, m-intensive.co.uk
“What is Horton Technique?”, danceparent101.com

Teens at LINES

Our 2023 Teens Program is created for curious young minds to explore their artistic potential. Over a 14-week Fall Session, students will collaborate in guided movement classes and improvisation, while gaining solid technique in ballet, contemporary, jazz, Horton, and hip-hop classes. The Fall Session starts on September 9 with classes running on Saturdays and Sundays from 12–3:30pm.

Teens Masterclass Series

Artists ages 11–17 are invited to access their inherent artistry and gain powerful tools for self-expression with us this summer. Our Masterclass Series kicks off with a ballet class from faculty member Victor Talledos. Next, students will explore the creative process of contemporary dance with LINES Ballet Training Program alum Katie Roy. Then, they’ll join Moscelyne ParkeHarrison, associate artistic director of Post:ballet, for new approaches to contemporary movement. Teens can choose one masterclass, or take all three!

LINES’ Education Programs

Through robust Education Programs for all ages, Alonzo King LINES Ballet provides an environment for the unfolding of students’ own creative powers. The cornerstone that shapes our training philosophy is that art is within the artist.

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