Shalini Goel

🪔 About

Shalini Goel Agarwal is an Indian classical dancer and teacher, primarily focused on Odissi, with foundational training in Bharatanatyam. She began her intensive Odissi training in 2001 under the guidance of Guru Jyoti Rout, the founder of Jyoti Kala Mandir, in the Bay Area, California. Her Odissi studies also included immersive sessions at the Jyoti Kala Mandir School in Bhubaneshwar, Orissa. Prior to her Odissi journey, Shalini had dedicated several years to studying Bharatanatyam, culminating in her arangetram. Her solo debut performance, known as ranga puja, took place in 2006. In the same year, she was selected to perform at the prestigious San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival. Shalini has since performed extensively. In 2016, she relocated to Tallahassee with her family, where she continues to be an active performer and teacher. She presented her first solo show in Tallahassee, titled "Aarambha," in 2017. Shalini conducts weekly Odissi classes for both children and adults and is also available as a guest speaker and workshop presenter in educational settings. She holds a master's degree in English from the University of Chicago.