PMT Dance Studio

PMT Dance Studio is a New York City based company founded by dancer and choreographer Pavan Thimmaiah in 2001. It currently comprises a dance school, repertory company and the PMT Seasonal Showcase Company.

History

PMT Dance Studio was found in by Pavan M. Thimmaiah, a Staten Island native born from two Indian immigrants. Mr. Thimmaiah took up dance as a hobby late in high school, emulating Michael Jackson and various break dancers at the time. Mr. Thimmaiah graduated New York University in 2000 with a degree in Psychology and a concentration in Pre-Med, but decided to pursue dance during time off following graduation. Although he originally intended to return to pursuing medicine, he eventually decided to continue to pursue dance as career after experiencing some success as a professional dancer.

On May 19, 2001, Mr. Thimmaiah hosted his own class on Saturdays 3:30 – 5:00pm from Dick Shea’s/Angel’s Hideaway at 69 W14th Street, renting it out on an hourly basis. Mr. Thimmaiah’s more personalize approach to teaching and growing performance resume resulted in a steady following, eventually resulting in the expansion of his classes and setting the ground work for a curriculum of classes and PMT Dance Studio’s Performance Workshop Program. With the first showcase in the Fall of 2001, the foundation was formed for the PMT Seasonal Showcase Company - a nationally reviewed showcase company that is responsible for dozens of shows annually and the growth of numerous dance companies.

Eventually on November 1, 2004, Mr. Thimmaiah acquired part of Dick Shea/Angel’s Hideaway’s facility, which for the first time gave PMT Dance Studio a full-time home. Although it was just one studio, PMT Dance Studio was able to expand its business and for the first time incorporate additional faculty, classes and expand its operations. In June 2006, PMT Dance Studio acquired the entire 3rd floor of 69 West 14th Street after it was unexpectedly vacated. Since that time, PMT Dance Studio has expanded its operations many fold while incorporating Open Sessions in House, Hip Hop, Popping and Locking where the local dance community can congregate and practice their skills amongst other professional and non-professional dancers.

Performances and Repertory

PMT Dance Studio consists of two sub-companies: PMT Seasonal Showcase Company and PMT Dance Company. The PMT Seasonal Showcase Company – is a non-profit company that is responsible for the production of various showcases, including showcases by PMT’s repertory company. It produces dozens of showcases annually, usually in the Spring and Fall seasons. These productions showcase various dance companies, many of which are up and coming. The showcase company also provides rehearsal space and other means of assistance to its presenters. 1-2 companies a year are selected to be an artist in residence, which involves the production of showcases highlighting the work of the artist in residence. The PMT Seasonal Showcase company has been in existence since the Fall of 2001, assisting with the development of hundreds of dance companies and choreographers since that time.

PMT Dance Company is the repertory company for the studio. It is under the direction of Pavan Thimmaiah and its Assistant Director is Alan Watson. PMT Dance Company incorporates original music and a storyline into elements of Hip Hop, Funk, and Jazz dance. Its credits include the International Bollywood Movie Awards and Sensing Peace Documentary Gala and the International Dance Festival where Pavan Thimmaiah was a featured choreographer in a night honoring male choreographers entitled "Men at Work." In addition, PMT Dance Company was chosen to perform in Toronto at the Canadian National Exhibition in July 2006. In 2008, PMT Dance Company completed a run of their first feature length production called "Struck..." "Struck..." was a collaborative effort which featured a culmination of work by Pavan Thimmaiah as well as the choreography of Jed Forman, Yesid Lopez and Alan Watson. The show was eventually featured on the Sundance Channel. "Struck..." is scheduled for a 2011 production.

About the founder

After graduating NYU Pre-Med/Psychology, Pavan Thimmaiah abandoned his life long goal of becoming a doctor to pursue his dream of becoming a dancer. Since that time, Pavan has gone on to create successful dance career, highlighted by him founding PMT Dance Studio and the PMT Seasonal Showcase Company in 2001. Pavan has choreographed commercially the fashion industry, including Miss America & for Miss USA pageant models and contests. He has guest spoken & taught at conferences and dance seminars across the East Coast and Canada. He has been featured in numerous magazines and newspapers including Dance Europe, The Dance Gazette, Attitude Dancer’s Magazine, Washington Square News, and others. Pavan’s dance company, PMT Dance Company, has performed as featured acts in various prestigious venues including the Toronto National Exhibition, The International Dance Festival (NYC – Duke Theater) & as the opening number in the Bollywood International Movie Awards (2003 – Trump Taj Mahal). PMT Dance Company presented its first independent production in 2008, which was later featured on “Young Revolutionaries” on the Sundance Channel.

Pavan has also built a reputation for developing young recording artists towards being well-rounded performers, resulting in music videos and tours for these artists. Some of these artists include Stefani Vara, Alex Feder (aka – Leonard Friend) and the XYZ Affair, and Matt Palmer, some of which have resulted in features on TV and on webcasts like IMEEM.COM.

Pavan’s talents extend itself past his own work, as he has performed for the likes of Apache Indian, Sean Paul and on various TV programs like the Conan O'Brien Show, MTV and most recently on NBC’s The Today Show where he performed on stage with host Meredith Vieira.

The most valued accomplishments of Pavan’s may come from his career as a teacher and mentor. Over the years, he has help to create and revive numerous dance careers with his stern but understanding approach to students. He strives to find the right way to get the most out of every student’s potential. His teaching credits include Peridance, Ballet Arts, Yeshiva University, Wadleigh School for the Performing Arts as well as the School of American Ballet as a guest teacher. Pavan continues to teach dance at New York University, Long Island University and the Alvin Ailey School.

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