The Story Behind the Steps
Meet Arpita.
Founder. Choreographer. The reason hundreds of Michigan families dance together.
Arpita discovered dance before she could put words to the feeling. Growing up immersed in the rhythms of Bollywood and Bhangra, she trained rigorously across classical and contemporary styles — developing a fluency that moved freely between tradition and innovation.
After years of performing and competing, Arpita turned her passion toward teaching. She founded Happy Feet Dance Academy with a simple conviction: every child and adult deserves access to the transformative experience of South Asian dance — regardless of background, body type, or prior experience.
What began as one class in a community hall grew into five thriving studios across metro Detroit. Arpita personally trains every instructor at Happy Feet, ensuring the same warmth, precision, and joy that defined her own journey is present in every class.
When she's not choreographing annual recitals or teaching Tuesday night adults class, she's on Instagram sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of the academy — and occasionally showing up at class in a sequined dupatta, just to remind everyone why they started.
Our Mission
"Dance is for every body. Every age. Every background. Every level. We exist to make that belief real — one class at a time."
— Arpita, Founder
5
Studio Locations
6+
Age Groups
10+
Years Teaching
∞
Dance Memories Made
Follow the Journey
See what we're up to
Class highlights, recital prep, event announcements, and the occasional dance-off. All on Instagram.