With a week of classes under our belts, I know a lot of us are probably thinking about involving ourselves in new clubs, organizations, and even dance teams. As a sophomore who is on a dance team, I can easily tell you that trying out for UConn Jhalak was one of the best decisions I could’ve made for myself.
What is UConn Jhalak?
UConn Jhalak is the University of Connecticut’s all-girls Intercollegiate hip-hop-fusion dance team, brought to UConn in August of 2024. The team focuses on the fusion aspect of different dance styles. I knew that this was the team that I wanted to try out for.
UConn Jhalak traveled as a team across the East Coast from New York City to Long Island to Boston and, of course, Connecticut. With each trip to perform, the team grew closer, and the sisterly bond was truly evident.
Being the newest group on the Indian dance team roster, Jhalak had a great first year as a team, and I am grateful to have been a part of that.
tryouts
The word “tryouts” can seem scary, intimidating and nerve-racking to many people. The idea of having people judge you based on a certain skillset is terrifying. When you are new to a college, you are at your most vulnerable self, and it can make the scenario even scarier.
It was September of 2024: I had never been to a dance tryout before. I was freaking out about what I should wear, what makeup I should have on, what dance bag I should bring and even “which Gatorade color is the coolest,” and yes, I am getting secondhand embarrassment as I read this. Let me be the first to tell you that you could wear a garbage bag to tryouts. The factors that the people judging you look for are your personality, confidence and, most importantly, your effort.
When I made it to tryouts, it felt like a scene straight out of “Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Making the Team.” Girls were stretching everywhere, the e-board scribbling down notes, and the crowd that made it seem like a professional audition. I started second-guessing everything: Why did I even bother showing up? Does my hair look stupid in a slick back braid? Should I start introducing myself to people or stretch awkwardly in a corner?
The last thought prompted an automatic response in my body to walk up to these two girls and introduce myself, unaware that in a week, they’d become my teammates.
Even though tryouts are a competition, for those three hours, these “strangers” become your support system, so embrace it! Lean into the nerves and the awkwardness, and own that shared vulnerability.
As much as it was intimidating, it felt so amazing to finally try something new and push myself out of my comfort zone.
One piece of advice that I have to offer that may seem corny is: “Dance like no one is watching.” The moment you stop comparing your technique with others and just focus on your own joy, that’s when something shifts. And honestly, it’s what dance teams look for. Not the best technically trained dancer in the room, but someone who carries themself authentically and with confidence.
I can empathize, because I know it’s nerve-racking to put ourselves out there and step out of that comfort bubble we have found safety in our entire lives. But, if there’s one thing that college has taught me, is that the moment you start breaking out of your shell, good things come your way. Your future self will thank you. I promise.
And here’s something that most people don’t tell you: tryouts aren’t just about dancing. They’re about meeting new people and making connections! I met my friends Laasya K. and Aditi N. during tryouts, and we instantly bonded. I remember walking out thinking, “Even if I don’t make the team, at least I made two new friends.”
About a week and a half later, we all found out we made the team.
I tried out for another dance team as well as UConn Jhalak, but there was just something about the atmosphere and connection with the girls on Jhalak that made me immediately click accept. When you are trying out, think to yourself, “Could I see myself dancing with the people around me?” All the Indian dance teams at UConn are great, so I highly recommend doing your research and seeing which team would fit you best! For me, that was Jhalak.
Connect to your culture
Something that people fail to tell you in college is that there are going to be times when you feel disconnected from your culture. Yes, the new environment is exciting and inviting, but you can’t just forget all the memories and routines you had back home that shaped your life.
Growing up, the way I stayed connected to my culture was through Bharatnatyam, an Indian classical dance form.
Going into college, I didn’t have the goal of joining a dance team, but I soon realized I was struggling to feel connected with my culture. That’s when I started to realize that UConn has great academics, but also an array of amazing Indian dance teams.
I missed the thrill of learning new choreography and, of course, the exhilarating feel of dancers’ high. Because I have been dancing my whole life, I wanted to try something new. Maybe a different style of dance? I loved Bharatanatyam, but I wanted a change.
That’s why Jhalak was perfect for me. There were the Indian aspects of certain styles like Bhangra, Raas, South Indian, Bollywood, Garba and so on, but there was the new, but familiar style of hip hop.
Going into the team, I didn’t really know what these styles entailed, but I soon realized what I have been missing out on all these years! I was so fascinated by each arm movement, leg kick and head turn that it was so easy to fall in love with these new styles of Indian dance, while also having some westernized culture in there.
Take the style of Raas, for example. Our Raas choreographer, Ira, combined the movements of Garba Raas with a Travis Scott song. Not only do we do American songs, but of course, we have an array of Indian songs that our choreographers picked out. Here are some examples of songs we have used:
- All red (playboi carti) & rajvaadi o (jonita g & pritam)
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Raas and Garba Choreo by Ira
- Wildest dreams (taylor swift)
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Contemporary Choreo by Aditi N.
- Karuthavanlaam galeejaam (anirudh r)
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South Indian Choreo by Esha
- Bijili (sachin J, Mika s, & neha K)
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Bollywood and Bhangra Choreo by Sume
- rangilo Maro (shubha m) X Dior (pop smoke)
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Hip Hop and Bharatnatyam Choreo by Hansika
From the familiarity in the Indian songs to the team Bollywood movie nights, these small moments will make you feel closer to your culture.
Learning New Choreography and dance styles
Relating this to my experience, I have been dancing since the age of two in all genres: lyrical, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, tap and Bharatanatyam. I loved all of these styles, but Bharatanatyam seemed to capture my heart the most since I had two amazing dance teachers growing up.
I remember watching the choreographers from last year teach and being in such awe of how someone can create choreography and teach it. For some reason, I always thought I needed a degree in dance to teach. But I’ve come to realize that teaching dance has no age limit, and when an opportunity presents itself, you just have to go for it.
I was given the opportunity to choreograph our Bharatnatyam and hip hop dance. Never in a million years did I think I’d teach dance and create choreography, but I’m so happy I did because it led me to a passion to teach and allow myself to be creative. I don’t think I would have been able to channel that energy and creativity in another setting without this team.
And I must say, as a choreographer, to see your vision come together on stage with an amazing team is so rewarding. I was so proud of myself and of all my teammates.
travel together
Not only do we get to dance together, but we also get to travel together.
As a team, we have traveled to Wellesley College in Boston, Columbia University in New York City and Stony Brook University in Long Island. We have shared hotel rooms, car naps, bus karaoke, makeup and, of course, memories with each other.
On our car ride to Boston, it was so nice to finally have food besides college food and to eat Chipotle with the girls who quickly became my sisters. We went to World Market, and we all shopped around for random cute accessories, but it was so special because we did it as a team. On our bus ride to New York City, we made a million TikToks, almost got thrown across the vehicle when it made sudden stops and, of course, had karaoke sessions to an array of songs.
I remember how excited all of us were to finally have a little escape from UConn and be able to make connections as a dance team. I remember how proud we all felt as a team and to see how far we have come was such a special feeling. Even though we squeezed nine of us into a hotel room meant for five people at our most recent dance competition, that room was filled with laughs, inside jokes and sisterhood.
sisterly bond & Family at UConn
In the beginning of my freshman year at UConn, I dealt with homesickness a lot. Even though I was surrounded by so many people, I felt like I was somehow not fitting into the college world. I remember going to the club fair and meeting all of the Indian dance teams and thinking, “I met them, but I don’t even think I’ll try out.” That fear of not even being able to fit in with the “Indian crowd” and being rejected from dance, something I have always been in love with, terrified me. I didn’t decide to try out for Jhalak until about three hours before tryouts were being held. The anxiousness was hiding me from the amazing possibility of trying something new and breaking out of my shell. I’ve said it in previous articles I’ve written, and I’ll say it again, own your vulnerability and get out of your comfort zone!
When tryouts were done, my heart felt so filled with love because the girls were so sweet and I finally felt “at home” at UConn. I remember calling my dad on the long way up the Werth ramp and telling him how happy I was, and to hear him say “you’ve always loved dance” made me realize that I couldn’t give up on my passion for dance, even in college. Despite the crazy exams and late-night study sessions, college is truly so much more than a grade or GPA. You’re here for memories, and the memories I have made with these girls are something that has helped me throughout my first year away from home.
A few practices in, these girls helped my freshman experience do a 180, and it finally felt like I belonged at UConn and could consider it my new home. I love all of these girls in their own unique way, and I proudly call these girls not only my teammates, but my sisters.
the future
With this upcoming school year (2025-2026), I am honored to be one of the captains on UConn Jhalak and excited to give others that passion for dance that was instilled in me last semester. It’s one thing to just dance, but to dance with a passion to learn, teach and shine is something that will always make my heart skip a beat.
If you are looking to try out for a dance team, then I 100% recommend UConn Jhalak! I can’t imagine my freshman year without this team, and the memories that I have made are something that will always be carried with me.
From being my teammates to being my best friends, I know the bond that I’ve made with these amazing girls has made my experience at UConn so much more memorable and I’m excited for the next three years!
And to those of you thinking about trying out for a dance team, GO FOR IT!
J-H-A-L-A-K JHALAK JHALAK ALL THE WAY!