Our Team

Staff

Royal Academy of Punjab believes in serving our community with only the best. From our General Manager right down to our Junior Instructor, we make sure that they are fun-loving, qualified, and dedicated to our mission. We are skilled and dedicated professionals that excel in their trade. Whether you’re taking our bhangra classes, looking for a dhol teacher, or participating in our Punjabi events, our leadership and instruction are the finest in the land.  Meet our team!

Hardeep Singh Sahota

Hardeep Sahota is the General Manager of Royal Academy of Punjab and the first certified Bhangra Instructor in Canada under the CTDA (Canadian Dance Teachers Association). Through Royal Academy of Punjab, he has raised the bar for bhangra institutes, bringing a professional and strategic structure to teaching and showcasing Punjabi Folk Bhangra, not only in Surrey BC, but on provincial, national and international stages. Hardeep Sahota has participated, judged, coached and produced Bhangra events and festivals all over the world since 2008.

Anita Lal

Anita Lal is the Business Development Manager at Royal Academy of Punjab. Her values of seva, social justice and advocacy fuel her work as the co-founder of Poetic Justice Foundation where she has been creating impactful and transformative programming, organizing, and activating her community. Her approach is always inclusive, intersectional and critical. Anita serves on Boards and Advisory Committees for the Province of BC’s Punjabi Canadian Legacy Project, South Asian Studies Institute at The University of the Fraser Valley, and Seva Thrift Society. She is inspired by Dr. Ambedkar’s words: Educate. Agitate. Organize.

Deeksha Arora

Deeksha Arora is the Senior Dance Instructor at Royal Academy of Punjab. She has been an integral part of the Royals success for more than seven years. Deeksha is a certified Giddha Instructor through the Canadian Dance Teachers Association (CDTA). Deeksha has won national and international bhangra competitions with the Senior Royal Queenz team and coaches elite teams for competition. Deeksha is a Simon Fraser University graduate and holds a degree in Criminology and Child Psychology. Her passion for Punjabi folk art fuels her pursuit for higher learning and achievements in the arts sector, as well as giving back to the community by connecting future generations to their heritage.

Manisha Malhi

Manisha Malhi is a Senior Bhangra/Giddha instructor for junior and senior boys and girls. Manisha first joined the academy in 2016 as a student and has been connected to Punjabi folk dances since. Manisha became an instructor in 2018, and has been actively involved in Royal Academy community programs. She is a member of the senior girl’s competitive team Royal Queenz, with whom she has won many local, national and international competitions. Her goal is to continuously challenge herself artistically and support her students on their artistic journey.

Jashan Waraich

Jashan Waraich is a Junior Dance Instructor at Royal Academy of Punjab. Jashan joined Royal Academy in 2018 as a student and fell in love with the art of folk dance. She is currently a competitive dancer on the Royal Rockerz team, and a Junior Instructor for the youth teams. Jashan’s future plans are to become a law enforcement officer and in her freetime can be found volunteering at the Child and Young Care Counselling District Program, She believes in consistency and doing something that brings out the best version of herself, bhangra has always been an outlet for her to advance her skills and connect to her culture. She works with youth to help them establish the same mindset and connections to their culture.

Board Members

Our dedicated Board of Directors spend countless hours each month ensuring the organization stays true to our mission and vision.  Each member brings a special skill and discipline which contributes to our ongoing success and growth.

Vijay Yamla

Director

Hardeep Singh Sahota

General Manager

Anita Lal

Business Development Manager

Manpal Rana

Advisory Board

Paramjit Singh Sidhu

Director

Carol Cousloun

Director

Harjit Singh Sahota

Director

Mo Dhaliwal

Advisory Board

Milan Singh

Advisory Board

COVID-19 Health & Safety Plan