Gurugram, Aug 04: Thirteen students of Classes VI to X from Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon have won the First Prize (Best Dance Team Award) in the Contemporary Fusion Group Dance (11–13 years) category, representing India, at the Dancing Italy – International Dance Festival & Contest, held in Rimini, Italy, on July 6, 2026. Competing against teams from 23 countries across 47 performances, the students secured the top honour with their original dance production, Clash of Personalities.
The victory came after the students represented India at the 64th World Congress of Dance Research, held at the Dora Stratou Theatre, Athens, Greece, from July 1–5, 2026. Organised by the Conseil International de la Danse (CID) under UNESCO, the Congress brought together dancers, educators and researchers from around the world through performances, lectures, discussions and workshops, where both students and teachers from Shiv Nadar School took the stage.
Sameer Arora, Principal, Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon, said: “This achievement reflects our belief that the arts play an essential role in shaping confident, creative and empathetic individuals. Beyond the recognition on an international platform, what stands out is the discipline, collaboration and self-expression our students developed through this journey. Opportunities like these allow students to engage with diverse cultures, challenge themselves and represent India with pride on global stages.”
The award-winning production, Clash of Personalities, blended Ballet, Contemporary, Jazz, Lyrical Dance and Kathak to explore themes of identity, individuality and self-discovery. Drawing from the students‘ own experiences and reflections, the performance examined the tension between societal expectations and authentic self-expression. Through compelling storytelling and movement, it celebrated empathy, courage and the confidence to remain true to one’s values, delivering a powerful message on the importance of embracing individuality
The team’s success was the culmination of months of dedicated preparation, including an intensive summer rehearsal programme that combined rigorous technical training with artistic research and self-reflection. As part of the creative process, each student explored the personality they portrayed, maintained reflective journals documenting their journey, and worked collectively to bring emotional depth and authenticity to the performance. Many members of the team have trained together for three to four years, making this international recognition the result of years of discipline, perseverance and shared ambition.
The team was guided by educators Amir Saifi, Teaching Faculty – Dance; Shirisha Kanwar, Teaching Faculty – Dance; Rashmi Sharma, Head of Arts; and mentored by Neel Sengupta, Central Arts Lead. The students received rigorous training that equipped them to perform with confidence and achieve success.
At Shiv Nadar School, dance is an integral part of the Aha! Arts programme, where students are trained across Indian classical, folk, and international dance forms to build creativity, discipline, and artistic excellence.
The win marks Shiv Nadar School, Gurgaon’s first international dance competition title in recent years and builds on the school‘s growing presence on global performing arts platforms. Last year, the school‘s Kathak team represented India at an international festival in Tbilisi, Georgia, where they conducted workshops and showcased Indian classical dance.
The latest achievement reinforces Shiv Nadar School‘s commitment to integrating the arts into education by providing students with opportunities to engage with global artistic communities, develop creative confidence and collaborate across cultures while representing India on international platforms.