Saraswati Dance Academy led by Guyanese choreographer turning heads in NY

The Saraswati Dance Academy has been creating quite a buzz in Queens, New York, United States of America (USA), since its formation some five years ago by Sursattie Singh, originally from Reliance, Essequibo Coast, Region Two (Pomeroon-Supenaam) in Guyana.
The academy, which was first founded in Guyana two decades ago, has been expanding its presence in the USA under the stewardship of Singh, whose deep love for dance and culture has been the driving force behind the institution, allowing her to express and inculcate these rich traditions through movement.
Today, the academy is recognised for winning numerous competitions in Folk, Kathak, and other classical dance forms. Despite challenges, the journey of Saraswati Dance Academy is one of perseverance and passion.
Singh’s unwavering dedication to the art of dance led her to New York, where she continues to nurture and expand her vision. With a deep belief in the power of dance to inspire and connect, she remains committed to growing her academy and spreading the beauty of her culture, one step at a time.
Speaking with Guyana Times, Singh recollected how the group started back in 2004 in Guyana. “My mandir at the time, Reliance Mandir, had planned a fund-raising activity and we were identified to perform… it was my first time performing on stage. After that I, joined the Reena Dance Group in Airy Hall since it was the only dance group on the Essequibo Coast. I was exposed to the stage more often and that built my confidence. I developed the love for dancing so it became one of my dreams to have my own group one day,” she recalled.
After that everything started to fall into place. Singh started her own group, along with her three cousins.
“We were getting ready for Holi celebrations at the Anna Regina Centre ground – it was me and three of my cousins, Maria, Kamele and Nadia – I was 15 at the time, and the group was Annie Dance Group but eventually we renamed it Saraswati Dance Academy, and invited persons from in and around the community to join…” she said.
However, she migrated to the USA in September 2019. There, she performed at a few events at the Kishna Mandir located along 101 Avenue, South Richmond Hill in New York, after which a few of her colleagues encouraged and assisted her to establish the NY branch of the dance academy in April, 2021 with only three girls.
Since then, the group has grown and has performed at several shows, including events organised by the Guyana Hindu Dharmic Sabha (GHDS).
“We are grateful for the opportunities to perform at the Phagwah/Holi parades along Liberty Avenue, as well as the Diwali Motorcades and stage shows… at these shows, we get to showcase our Hindu culture and more so, our talent to the world,” she declared.
Singh added however, that one of the challenges in New York is the lack of exposure to promote the rich cultures, but on most occasions, she uses that as a positive, to motivate and encourage the dancers and their parents to attend the temples, and to help them understand the rich Hindu culture.
“There are many challenges which I try to work around due to work schedule and other day to day stuff, but the biggest challenge is funding for our costumes, fabric and seamstress expenses, which are mostly sponsored by the dancers’ parents and sometimes myself,” she stated as one of her biggest challenges.
Despite the adversities, she envisions her group becoming an international dance academy, with both Saraswati Dance Academy NY and Guyana, and having the ability to travel the world to perform. To date, the academy has received several certificates and achievement awards from various organisations.

About the founder
With a dynamic career spanning customer service, sales, business administration, and performing arts, Sursattie Singh is a dedicated professional known for her leadership, adaptability, and strong interpersonal skills. She excels in managing multiple responsibilities while ensuring smooth operations in retail, marketing, and administrative environments.
Currently serving as Head Cashier and Floor Supervisor at HUDSON GROUP, JFK International Airport T4, she is responsible for overseeing store operations, managing inventory, and maintaining high customer service standards. Her ability to lead teams and streamline workflow has made her an asset in fast-paced, high-pressure environments.
Previously, as an office administrator at Glamor Decorating Inc, she contributed to creating a strong sales environment, assisting in visual merchandising, and improving customer retention through efficient administrative support.
Her career in sales supervision at Ansa McAl Trading Ltd in Georgetown, Guyana, further honed her ability to identify sales opportunities, train teams, and drive revenue growth.
Beyond her corporate career, Singh is deeply passionate about the arts. She is a dancer and instructor at her dance academy, where she shares her love for traditional dance, teaching and inspiring students through cultural expression.
Her dedication to dance complements her professional journey, reflecting her discipline, creativity, and ability to connect with others.
In addition, with a deep appreciation for interior design, costume design, dancing, and travelling, this dance instructor continues to make an impact in both the corporate and artistic worlds, striving for excellence in every endeavour.