Lotus Music and Dance Studios

Lotus Music & Dance is a cultural and educational institution dedicated to the teaching, performance and preservation of the dance and music traditions of all world cultures. The activities by our master artists foster artistic development, as well as cultural and social exchange. Our intention is to celebrate and develop a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse cultures of the world. In 2022-2023, LOTUS served over 25,364 people. LOTUS's programs gave over 175 artists opportunities to present their art throughout the year. Lotus produced performances and events which attracted over 9,874 in person attendees and 647 online viewers. Lotus artists participated in 52 events that were presented by other organizations. These workshops and performances reached a combined audience of appoximately 15,310 people. This number includes 65 programs in 15 public schools, reaching approximately 10,731 school children preK-12. Our audiences represent virtually every ethnic community in New York City as well as dance aficionados and scholars of Asian, African, Hispanic, European and Native American culture. From October to June, we brought 18 Native American and 55 World Dance Passport Arts in education programs to 17 NYC public schools for grades preK to 12th grade. These Programs aligned with the social studies curriculum and linked to the Drums Along the Hudson festival.Lotus produced performances such as WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL: DANCING ACROSS CULTURAL BORDERS AT MANHATTAN MOVEMENT ARTS CENTER and the WORLD MUSIC SERIES AT ROULETTE INTERMEDIUM (7 concerts)supported by the New York State Council on the Arts and the National Edowment for the Atrs. We also celebrated the twenty first annual iteration of our flagship event, DRUMS ALONG THE HUDSON: A NATIVE AMERICAN AND MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION, in collaboration with the NYC Park Department in person at Inwood Hill Park, with support from the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs and City Council.Drums Along the Hudson includes storytelling, crafts, cuisine and an environmental tent. In keeping with Native American 7th Generation philosophy that everything we do should consider the effect it will have on seven generations, the environmental tent hosts groups that promote environmental awareness. Six artist groups, chosen based on talent, authenticity, and drum presentation, were Sri Lankan Dance Academy, Kalpulli Huehuethlatholi Aztec Drummers & Dancers, Cobu Japanese Taiko Drumming, Project Convergence: Tap and Bharata Natyam and Fusha Congolese Dance Co. It included over 40 native dancers in full regalia who danced to the resounding host drums of Heyna Second Sons. Nitchen provided Native Crafts and storytelling for children of all agers.This year we a LOTUS SHOWCASE: CELEBRATING ANNIVERSARIES, with five groups reaching milestones-Gorana Bulgarian Dance (15yrs), Japanese Folk Dance Institute (30yrs), Saung Budaya Indonesian Dance (15 years), Kinding Sindaw Filipino Tribal Dance (30yrs) and Lotus Bharata Natyam Ensemble (28years). Lotus strives to be truly global in outlook and has been of special service to under-represented groups in a way unmatched by other cultural organizations.