Meet Reshma Anwar | Dance Artist & Future MPA

We had the good fortune of connecting with Reshma Anwar and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Reshma, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I am a dance artist but also a future policy maker as I am currently acquiring my Masters in Public Administration from the London School of Economics and Political Science’ School of Public Policy with a focus on International Development. Having worked with various choreographers, I realized that I was specifically drawn to working with people who made socio-cultural and/or political statements with their work. I believe in the arts as a driving force for positive change. I also believe that the arts teach us about culture; cultural values, believes and more. Collaboration is the main driver to create mutual understanding, sympathy and empathy in the best case. My project, Music On Pointe (musiconpointe.com) believes exactly in those values and is build around these ideas. It is an international collaboration platform that establishes cultural exchange through the arts. Its vision is to inspire different communities around the world to have a better understanding of each other by experiencing representative art in hopes to create global peace. We host occasional benefit concerts with special global topics to bring its mission to life and to provide a space to share, as well as connect the people from around the world on an artistic and intellectual level. Our last one was in Miami last year in collaboration with Strong Girls Inc. This year we hosted an online benefit for Colombia based organization, Ases del Swing. I also volunteered to teach dance here at the Lotushouse shelter for Women and Children.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
As I said, I am an alien to this country so that alone brings a whole different layer to the question why I am here and why I do what I do. In addition, I am a brown girl that grew up in the Western world with heritages in India and Pakistan. Yes, I am 50:50. So I always say I was born to make a statement. One time, Pioneer Winter said in one of his workshops, “You don’t have to be political in your work, your body already is.” and this has stuck with me ever since. Growing up in (east) Germany, I was always told that I will never be a dancer and here I am, having studied at The University of the Arts, and The Ailey School and having worked with various choreographers not only in Miami but also in New York City and now London. When I came to the States, I learned the value of my multiculturalism until it came to finding a job when I graduated. I was confronted with the world of White and Black and to those bilateral concepts of race. As a brown girl, I was once again challenged to fit in to both. South Asian heritage dancers that are trained in Western styles are definitely so far in the minority but there are actually quite a few fierce ones among us but talking to all of them, I found out that we shared the same struggle of never fitting in and major companies let you know directly that this is a problem. However, it is not something that should bring you down. I worked once with Roni Koresh and he used to say “If you don’t know where you are from, you are lost.” It is true. I am just learning to be comfortable in my skin and learn that my experiences are unique and valuable.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I just LOVE Miami, there are so many spots! First I would definitely recommend a boat trip, then some food and drinks at Bayside! They have some great Mojitos there! Another spot for great Mojitos was always The Wharf in Brickell! I love Brickell and I love just walking around exploring different corners of the city. For food, I love Planta in South Beach, their plant-based meals are the best I ever had and the staff is amazing! I also love the restaurant at The Standard Spa in South Beach. You can sit by the water and enjoy a beautiful meal. One thing on my to-do list is Jetski around the Bay area! I would love to do that next. A fun spot during non-Covid times I suppose is the Mandarin on Sundays, I love the pool and the views there!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family definitely has my back in everything that I do. I always believe that there is a reason why we meet the people we meet and when we meet them. I am super grateful for Alma Dance Theater here in Miami. As an alien to this country, the director, Marissa, has welcomed me with open arms since I met her and I always have a great time performing with them while also thinking critically about the issues around femininity. I am generally grateful for all Miami based choreographers that have welcomed me, challenged me in my thinking that way. That also includes Pioneer Winter Collective, Peter London Global Dance, Brazzdance and Sandra Andreu-Portal.

Website: http://reshmadanse.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reshmadanse/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reshmadanse/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reshmadanse291/
Other: Vimeo: https://vimeo.com/reshmadanse

Image Credits
Professional Dance shots are by Heather Sachleben.