As part of Jamii’s Emerging Artist Program, supported by the RBC Foundation, Jamii invited Vrunda Upadhyay to strengthen her local presence and performance opportunity by participating in Wayo, Jamii’s Children Festival in August 2025. She received mentorship from established artist Nova Bhattacharya and collaborated closely with Jamii’s Artistic and Executive Director, Isorine Marc, as well as spoken word artist Patrick de Belen. At Wayo, Vrunda performed for over 600 people over 4 days, with two performances per day! In addition to the festival experience, Vrunda and Nova benefited from dedicated studio time to explore traditional dance in a modern context, fostering experimentation, dialogue, and creative growth. 

Vrunda Upadhyay is a proficient South Asian dancer, choreographer, and versatile vocalist with over two decades of experience in Bharatanatyam and Indian music. Deeply committed to sharing the richness of classical arts with diverse audiences, she was honored with the Arts Acclaim Citizen Award by the City of Brampton for her contributions to the cultural landscape. She recently performed in the award-winning Melbourne production Temple of Desire, showcased at the Toronto Fringe Festival 2025. 

Reflecting on her mentorship experience, Vrunda shared: “Being part of Jamii’s Emerging Artists Program for the Wayo Children’s Festival 2025 has been a profoundly enriching experience that expanded my creative outlook and deepened my appreciation for collaboration and community-centered art. The program offered a nurturing space to explore how tradition and innovation can coexist in storytelling through movement.” 

Working with Nova Bhattacharya was one of the most transformative aspects of the experience. Vrunda noted: “Nova invested her time and energy to guide me through the world of contemporary dance, patiently helping me understand its nuances, freedom, and depth. She began by sharing her early dance videos, allowing me to witness her personal evolution as an artist and how she found her unique voice by blending classical precision with contemporary sensibility. These moments of mentorship were both inspiring and eye-opening. Nova encouraged me to explore beyond the boundaries of form while remaining grounded in my Bharatanatyam roots, showing me that tradition and innovation can beautifully complement each other when approached with openness and authenticity.” 

Collaborating with Patrick de Belen added another dynamic dimension: “His spoken word and storytelling brought rhythm, emotion, and narrative power to our shared work, expanding the possibilities of how dance and poetry can come together to communicate with younger audiences.” 

From Nova Bhattacharya’s perspective, mentoring Vrunda was equally rewarding: “The experience of working with Vrunda through Jamii’s Emerging Artists Program was an absolute joy. She brought a brave, bubbly energy into the studio; her exuberance shines through her dancing and radiates into everyone around her. As her mentor, I had the privilege of supporting her collaboration with Patrick de Belen, encouraging her to draw from her full range of creativity, her deep experience as a teacher of children, and her wisdom as a mother. She embraced every challenge with courage and curiosity, stepping beyond her comfort zone to not only dance but also sing onstage, embodying the heart of artistic risk and transformation. We also exchanged ideas and shared movement together. Revisiting some of my early contemporary explorations with her was nostalgic and invigorating. Vrunda’s thoughtful questions and keen insights reminded me of the ongoing dialogue between tradition and innovation that fuels our art forms. Watching her grow through this process affirmed my belief that mentorship is a shared dance of learning, discovery, and joy.” 

Special thanks to the RBC Foundation for supporting this program: Vrunda strengthened her practice as a performer and educator, enhanced her creative confidence, and reinforced her belief in art as a bridge between cultures, generations, and ideas. The program provided space for artistic exploration, collaboration, and experimentation while centering community engagement and the intergenerational sharing of knowledge and creativity.