Helia Bandeh was born in Shiraz, Iran and has established herself as one of the great Persian dancers of the modern era. Her unique dance style is immediately recognized by her elegant, detailed, powerful, and exquisitely delicate movements. She has performed with world class artists and instructed Persian dance all over the world, reviving this art form along the way. In her research of Persian dance history, Helia Bandeh has created a unique dance form and method that captures the essence of classical Persian dance and adapts it for modern times. This method paves the way for Persian dance to be performed, instructed, and to gain a foothold among new generations who can discover the great depth of this ancient art. As a Persian dance artist, Helia Bandeh has taken a leading role in creating enormous support in Iran and internationally for Persian dance. (www.helia.nl) 

Parul Gupta’s training began with Bharatha Natyam and Indian Folk Dance at the age of seven. Over the years, Parul has expanded her vocabulary to include Ballet Jazz, Hip Hop, and Yoga. Since 2008, Parul has dedicated herself to Kathak, studying with the renowned Kumudini Lakhia. Parul is the founder, principal teacher, and artistic director of Infusion Dance Studios (www.infusiondance.ca). Her choreographic works have been included in three Cirque du Soleil productions: Love, Kooza, and Totem. On top of all this, she has given performances and workshops across Canada, in the U.S.A, and India. In addition to dance, Parul has earned a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business (Western University) and a bachelor’s degree in Molecular Biology from Concordia University. She is also a certified Yoga Instructor in the Sivananda Yoga tradition. (www.parulgupta.ca)