Today we’d like to introduce you to Varalika Srivastava,Christine Willett.
Hi Varalika Srivastava,Christine Willett, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Varalika-
Growing up in India, dancing wasn’t just a hobby or something I was good at—it was my identity. In school, I wasn’t the best at academics, but I was always known as ‘the girl who danced.’ It was the same at family weddings; I was always the cousin who could quickly whip up choreography and teach everyone else. My formal journey started when I was ten with Bharatanatyam, and I later transitioned into training in Kathak.
But I honestly never thought I would start my own dance academy. I always knew I wanted to dance, but running a company? No way. When I got married and moved to the US, I barely knew anyone here, but I realized I had a totally clean slate. I could be whoever I wanted to be. The answer was instantly clear to me—I wanted to be where I felt the most like myself, which was on stage and in the studio.
Dance came to my rescue. I shared the idea of starting an academy with my husband and with Christine, whom I absolutely lucked out in meeting. We shared the exact same passion for dance. Adult friendships can be so hard to find, but she became my business partner and one of my absolute best friends. With their support, there was no looking back. Thumak’s journey has been challenging, to say the least, but so incredibly worth it. I am so grateful we took that leap to begin this adventure.
Christine –
I started dancing when I was four years old. I remember seeing a ballerina on TV and wanting to be just like her, so my parents enrolled me in ballet classes. A few years later, I discovered Chinese folk dance and completely fell in love with the vibrant costumes and the sheer variety of styles. I dreamed of becoming a professional dancer or a dance teacher, but my parents had other plans for me. Because I excelled in STEM, they encouraged me to pursue a degree in Computer Science.
I eventually graduated from MIT and started working full-time as a software engineer, but all along the way, I kept finding ways to incorporate dance into my life. I took classes and workshops in every different style I could find. Then one day, I noticed a neighbor, Varalika, hosting a Bollywood dance workshop. It was a style I hadn’t tried before, but from that very first session, I was absolutely hooked! After one of the classes, Varalika approached me and said, “I have this crazy idea—want to start a dance company with me?” And the rest is history!
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?
Varalika-
Starting this academy was an absolute privilege, and I’m always the first to admit that. I could do this instead of a traditional 9-to-5 because my husband has a job that pays the bigger bills. But at the same time, I really hope for a shift where people are more willing to pay dance instructors and artists what we actually deserve. Being given an ‘opportunity’ to showcase our talent doesn’t pay the bills. When people see a finished product, whether it’s a stage show, a beautifully trained student in our classical or Bollywood classes, or a routine we’ve choreographed for a wedding, they don’t see the unseen labor. They don’t see the hours spent on music editing, costume design, breakdown of technique and the best way to teach a particular move to our students, and endless rehearsals to make it look effortless.
Another struggle as a business owner is that you never really clock out. Even when I give my body a break from the studio, my mind is still running 24/7 with curriculum planning, emails, social media, answering calls and costume designing. Trying to manage all of that while simultaneously taking care of my toddler is incredibly tough—and man, the mom’s guilt is so real. Balancing the growth of my academy with the needs of my child is a daily challenge.
Christine –
One of the biggest challenges has been balancing “mom life” with running a dance company. I am incredibly grateful to have Varalika as a partner—she is truly the most supportive business partner I could ever hope for. I am also deeply thankful for the “village” that helps care for my son, allowing me to keep dedicating my time and passion to Thumak Dance Company.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Varalika- What truly sets our academy apart is our deeply personal, student-centric approach. Christine, our other instructors and I make it a priority to know every single student and their families by name and understand their unique learning style. We don’t just teach dance; we mentor our students. If someone is struggling with a routine, we stay after class to give them one-on-one guidance. To support their journey at home, we record and share detailed practice videos after every single session.
This dedication is especially visible in how we approach milestones. For students preparing for formal Kathak exams, we provide free extra technique classes because our ultimate goal is their confidence and readiness, not just checking a box.
When it comes to our stage showcases, we reject the traditional, rigid hierarchy often found in dance studios. We believe every student deserves their moment in the limelight, so we purposefully design our choreography to ensure everyone gets a chance to shine center stage.
We bring that same tailored, high-touch philosophy to our wedding choreographies. We sit down with each wedding party to truly understand their vision, translating their personal stories into a dream performance. Across every service we offer, our mission is to make dance accessible, empowering, and joyful.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Varalika-
When I look at the industry outlook, I see so much exciting growth! Dance education is evolving; it’s not just a casual hobby class anymore—and not to say hobby classes are any less important! But at Thumak Dance, we are serving people for so many different reasons. It’s truly about wellness on every level. We provide everything from the discipline and certification of classical Kathak training, to the pure joy and variety of Bollywood, to helping a couple create a memorable routine for their wedding, or even an adult coming in for a great workout. Moving forward, our goal is to keep expanding all of these avenues while staying true to our dance forms, honoring our culture, and spreading that love of dance right here.
Christine –
From my perspective, the market for in-person dance classes is incredibly strong right now. We are still seeing the long-term effects of COVID-19 isolation, and people are genuinely craving meaningful, face-to-face experiences and human connection. What I love most about our classes is that they aren’t just about learning choreography—they’ve become a hub for community. Seeing so many genuine friendships and lifelong connections start right here on the dance floor proves how much people need these spaces.
Beyond building community, our classes have become a powerful vehicle for empowering women. We have students who are 65 and older taking a dance class for the very first time in their lives! Our mission is to encourage these women to step into the studio, leave behind whatever was holding them back, and reclaim time for their minds and bodies. It is incredibly rewarding to watch them discover that inner strength.
We are also seeing a major cultural shift, especially among Millennials and Gen Z, who are moving their spending away from material things and toward meaningful experiences. Dance is the ultimate experiential activity because it beautifully combines fitness, art, and socialization. Along those same lines, we’ve noticed a massive boom in the market for wedding choreography. Couples today want more than just a traditional, standard dance; they want custom choreography that uniquely celebrates their love story and makes their big day unforgettable. It’s an absolute joy to help them bring that vision to life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thumak.com/443-741-2942
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thumakdance/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thumakdance
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@thumakdancecompany
