BDAAC Newsletter December 2011

Member Spotlight: Ketki Mody

Ketki Mody

Ketki Mody has been a member of CAA's Building Diverse Audiences Advisory Committee since 2009. She was inspired to join BDAAC because "it would open up doors for me to bring/share/create awareness about India and Asia's rich culture and heritage in our society, community, and city."

Ketkia brings more than 25 years of artistic experience to BDAAC. As a young child, she was exposed to multiple classical dance forms, such as Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, and Manipuri, in after school activities. At age 12, Ketki experienced a pivitol moment in her life – she was the youngest lead dancer in a ballet about Dhasha Aavatar, choreographed in a classical dance form of Bharat Natyam.

Her most recent experience includes:

• Art in Bloom, Cincinnati Art Museum – floral Interpretations and talks on art collections
• Judge for the Classical Dance Category – Naache Sitare, Mason Ohio,
• Teacher / choreographer for the Performing Arts Summer Camp in Indian dance – Ballet Tech Cincinnati
• Choreographer/stage manager/costume designer for the Myth dance production – Aronoff Center
• The Butterfly Show, Krohn Conservatory – dance choreographer at Gala night, henna activities, arts, and crafts.

In addition to her interest in art and dance, Ketkia enjoys traveling to experience and learn about art in other cultures, creating pottery and floral art, playing sports (badminton, table tennis, and golf), and attending plays and Broadway shows.

Ketkia has a Bachelor's degree in English Literature and a Visharad (equivalent of a Master's degree) in Bharatnatyam-Indian Classical Dance. She is the owner of Excel Tours & Travel, the Artistic Director of various venues, a teacher/volunteer at Scarlet Oaks vocational school, and a private tutor teaching English as a second language to new immigrants and refugees from countries like Bhutan, Nepal, and Bangladesh.

Her artistic goals include, but are not limited to, "creating a cultural climate to bring about greater diversity, integrity, and awareness through Indian art, dance, and culture to people of all ages, especially the very young children (ages 6+) in our city and society."