Natya Ninada Performing Arts Foundation

spandana batta

10 months ago · ★ 5

I have known Ms. Sneha for almost 10 years, and both my daughters ( 8y & 10y ) are her students. As a child, I always had a passion for dance but never had the opportunity to learn. Thanks to her, I have been a student myself for the past 5 years. One of the most unique aspects of Sneha’s classes is the environment that she and her husband, Vivek (the true backbone of the school), have created. It feels like a gurukul—not a typical commercial dance class. I have seen children feel genuinely happy and enthusiastic about attending their sessions. Through this wonderful art form, its expressions, and its stories, Sneha not only teaches dance but also instills discipline, compassion, and a deep inner connection to one’s soul. Children don’t just learn dance here—they gain valuable lessons and qualities that build a strong foundation for life. She recognizes each child’s challenges and encourages them with immense patience and positivity. I highly recommend Sneha Vivek for anyone’s dance journey. She is the reason I was finally able to pursue my dream of learning dance in my adult years—alongside my two girls—and I am forever grateful for that. If you are looking for dance classes for your children, or if you’re like me and always wished to learn, look no further than Natya Ninadha Dance School.

Aparna Karra

10 months ago · ★ 5

The best dance school in Bay Area and the world’s best guru is Guru Sneha Vivek. My daughter has been Sneha’s student for past 13 years and still continues dance under her guidance. We enrolled our little girl when she was less than 5 years old and she graduated and did her Guru Vandana (arengethram) after her senior year. Sneha trained my daughter into a beautiful matured Bharatnatyam dancer. All our friends were amazed at my daughter’s expressions and ability to express her dances with such an ease. Sneha trains kids, she becomes their best friends, explains the stories, entertains them and treats them like her own children. We were blessed to have such a wonderful guru in our lives. Sneha’s daughter Sanika helps the school by training and dancing along with all the girls. She is the older sister any girl can dream of having. Homely environment in every class.. that’s exactly the place art blossoms.

Hiral Lakhani

a year ago · ★ 5

I have been learning Bharatanatyam under Guru Smt Sneha Vivek for 5 years before my daughter was born and now learning For over 3 years along with my daughter and I feel incredibly fortunate to be a student of such a dedicated and inspiring teacher. Her deep knowledge of the art form, especially her mastery of Bharatanatyam poses, is truly remarkable. Every movement, expression, and posture she teaches is filled with grace, precision, and meaning. One of the things I deeply appreciate is her inclusive approach—she warmly welcomes adult learners and creates a supportive environment where students of all ages can thrive. Her patience, encouragement, and attention to individual progress makes the learning experience both fulfilling and empowering. Thanks to her guidance, I’ve developed a greater appreciation for the cultural and spiritual richness of Bharatanatyam. I highly recommend her to anyone interested in learning this classical dance form, whether you’re starting fresh or returning to dance later in life. Guru Smt Sneha Vivek is the best. Love you Sneha mam. Her house and Dance studio has traditional Gurukul Vibes.

alternative.

2 months ago · ★ 1

I attended this dance school for a huge part of my childhood and adolescence, and honestly, looking back, it was one of the biggest confidence killers I've experienced. The reality is that there are two very different experiences here. If you're a favorite, a family friend, or someone who learns extremely quickly, you'll probably have a great time. You'll get extra attention, patience, opportunities, and support. But if you're not, don't expect the same treatment. Favoritism was extremely obvious and something that many students talked about. If you fell behind or struggled, it often felt like your confidence was being chipped away instead of built back up. Rather than helping students improve, there was often an attitude of making them feel like they just weren't good enough. And when you needed extra help, somehow that often became a paid lesson. The conformity culture here is also very real. There was always a feeling that there was a certain type of student who was preferred, and if you didn't fit that mold, whether it was your personality, the way you learned, how outgoing you were, or even how you looked, you were treated differently. It didn't feel like a place where individuality was encouraged. It felt like a place where fitting in mattered more. I also think parents should know that body image was a huge issue. Dance is already hard enough on young girls' confidence, but there were plenty of situations that left students feeling embarrassed or insecure about their bodies. Whether it was comments, comparisons, costumes, or just the overall environment, there was definitely a feeling that certain body types were more accepted than others. Those experiences stick with people long after they leave. What frustrates me most is that teachers have such a huge impact on how kids see themselves. A dance teacher should make students feel challenged, supported, and excited to learn. Instead, I watched a lot of students lose confidence, question themselves, and eventually quit. Most of the people I grew up with who stumbled amongst this school left, and many of them had the same complaints. You genuinely cannot be a part of this school long-term unless you started from ages 4-7. Not everyone will have the same experience, but after spending years here, I would never recommend this school to another family. If your child isn't one of the favorites, don't expect the same support, encouragement, or opportunities that others receive. There are far better dance schools that will actually invest in your child's growth instead of making them feel like they're constantly falling short.

sahana swarup

10 months ago · ★ 5

My daughter has been learning dance at Natya Ninada since she was 5 years old, and it has been such a wonderful journey. The teacher, Sneha Vivek, is incredibly dedicated and has motivated and encouraged her every step of the way. Sneha brings so much passion and patience to her teaching, making sure each student feels supported and inspired. The classes are structured, energetic, and fun—so much so that the kids truly look forward to them every week. It’s amazing to see how much the students enjoy themselves and how they continue to grow in both skill and confidence.