Beena Austin
Adjunct Lecturer
Beena Austin was born in Kerela, India. Her dance background is in Indian classical and folkloric styles as well as Arabic which includes Egyptian (Raqs Sharqi), North African (Raqs Maghrebi), Levant (Raqs Shami) and Gulf region (Raqs Khaliji.) She has taught, performed and presented cultural dances showcasing the music and dance styles from these regions.
As continuing education, she attends workshops by educators including the Late Mahmoud Reda from Cairo, Egypt, Karim Nagi in Chicago, Mohamed Shahin in NYC, Tamalyn Dahlal in New Orleans and Jasmin Jahal in Chicago IL. Her dance study also includes Bharathanatyam style of Indian Classical dance under Dr. Anuradha Murali, artistic director of the Mrudani School of Performing Arts in Orangeburg, SC.
Beena currently teaches Non-western dance at the College of Charleston as well as private lessons and group classes in Mount Pleasant and West Ashley. She hosts an annual dance concert which includes students from the Charleston and surrounding areas.
Cultural Presentations
- Gaillard Residency
- SOA Residency
- MUSC International Bazaar and Global Health Week Guest Speaker
- College of Charleston World Cultures Fair
- Buist Academy World Culture Celebration
- Charleston Southern University Cultural Fest
- Trident Technical College Diversity Fair
- Horry Georgetown Technical College World Fair
- Citadel World Cultures Fair
- University School of the Lowcountry in Mt. Pleasant, SC
- Veterans Medical Center of Charleston, SC
- International Festival at the State Fairgrounds in Columbia, SC
- Diwali Festival for the India Association of Greater Charleston
- Hindu Temple of Charlotte, NC and Charleston, SC