Hello folks! This episode of #BlabWithSandy is special! I got to see a reel wherein a 19 year old girl’s dancing left me speechless. I read a funding article about her wherein her dancing skills have reached the United States of America but a decent support from us all will actually make her fulfill her dream of going to the USA to study dance. Yes, you read it right! Let’s wait no further and dive into this exciting blab I had with this talented artist named Vidushi D’Souza:
Sandy: Hey, Vidushi! Firstly, you are a terrific dancer. Kudos on continuing to dance with all your heart out and appreciate you for believing in this art form and continuing to progress in it.
Vidushi: Hello, Sandy. Oh my god, that’s so sweet of you. Thank you for your kind words.
Sandy: Could you let us know about your background? How and when did the dancing bug hit you?
Vidushi: Dance was always a part of me. I used to dance in front of the television, since the 9XM and VH1 days. I have been grooving to Bollywood songs ever since my childhood.
I joined Bharatnatyam classes when I was three, just for fun. Till I turned seven years old, I continued learning all forms of dance, just for fun. Be it western, ballet, jazz, classical, I enjoyed learning them.
Ballet helped me understand my flexibility and I found it very exciting. I had my professional training in ballet and calisthenics. I stated loving being on the stage.
Sandy: You are nineteen years now. You have formed a good name for yourself in the Indian dance industry. Why is it a dream to study dance in New York?
Vidushi: Dance in India is growing and I feel, I have made the most of all the opportunities that came by my way in India. I have also been exposed to the overseas dancing culture and after tuning into the Jazz dance form, I beleive, I am in love with it. New York is the best place for it and I would like to immerse myself to the full potential out there.
Sandy: You are the only student from India who has been accepted into the Sands College of Performing Arts, PACE University, New York for BFA in Commercial Dance. A few words about it.
Vidushi: Actually Sandy, this is my second time applying for it. I had applied the first time and I got rejected from six schools out of the seven that I had applied in 2024. I did all I could but somehow I was rejected. I feel I did not give the story for why I was apt to be picked in the essay that we need to write as a process to be selected.
I took a gap for a year and travelled. I went to Europe all by myself and I met a person who told me that we are only as many stories as we tell! That line hit me hard and changed my perception towards the feeling of dance.
Sandy: Wow! So, what changed in 2025? Biggest congratulations as you have been selected by the same bunch of schools that had rejected you!
Vidushi: Thanks a lot, Sandy! I believe, my dancing was always good even in 2024. Just that the clarity of thought and to put it in paper changed, haha! The application process is tedious, with many transcripts to be sent, essays to be written, videos to be sent, and the list goes on and on!
I am happy that I got picked and it’s just that there is a funding gap. That’s the reason I raised a funding campaign to assist me in this artistic journey.
Sandy: Yes, you did receive the President’s scholarship of USD 21,000 per year for four years. You are from a good background, even then, the costs are so high that to fulfill your dreams, the aspect of support has come into picture.
Vidhushi: Yes, and I really hope people reading this interview would lend their support to me. Here’s my Ketto fund raiser link. I will be grateful if you all understand my talent and do whatever little you can. 🙂
Quick Shot Round:
– Biggest fear: Not working hard enough
– Artists you look upto: Beyonce and Sophie Halloway
– If not a dancer, you’d been a? English teacher
– Most used App: Instagram
– If you had to pick just one dance form for the rest of your life: It would be Jazz
– Favourite dancer in the industry: Ishaan Khatter
– Favourite holiday destination: Goa and Amsterdam
– If you had to barter your career with one celeb: Alia Bhatt or Ariana Grande
– If a movie was to be made on your life and it’s going to be all about dance, who would you want to play your part: Wow! Haha, I think Zendaya
Sandy: What are your plans after you graduate in Dance?
Vidushi: I would love to stay there and work. My dream is to be a part of the Broadway. I really want to have a great life as a dancer. I know the essence of Jazz and I just want to live it! I also would like to try my hand in acting and singing.
Sandy: You are young but you have achieved so much at this age! If you have to give a piece of advice to the younger lot, who are vying to enter the dance industry, what would it be?
Vidhushi: Just to work on themselves and be glued to the studio. Have fun whilst you dance and that will showcase on the outside. Do study but if you love to dance, do not leave it. Dance is to express yourself and it has done many great things to my life. So, keep the spirit high and continue to dance!
Sandy: A few words about The Hyderabadlocal.Com.
Vidushi: I had a great time, Sandy! I felt comfortable in sharing my journey with you. I love the fact that you connect with people, talk to them, and experience the creative joy in doing so!
Interview by Sandy (Sandeep Rao)
Editor’s note: I request all the readers to kindly check the fund raiser link and give your support to Vidushi. Do this and you never know what good things shall come back to you in ways you wouldn’t imagine. 🙂
Click here to support Vidushi’s dream.
Follow Vidushi @vidushidsouza
Follow Sandy @blabwithsandy