7-19-2023 9:42pm

Morristown Beard's Meera Iyer Earns Acclaim at Carnegie Hall and International Dance Competition

The young artist earns top honors for folk and ethnic dances, showing the fruit of years of dedication and training.

Congratulations are in order for Morristown Beard School (MBS) junior, Meera Iyer '25. The rising young talent recently performed at the prestigious All-Indian Dance Festival at Carnegie Hall for the second consecutive year, proving her skills on a world-renowned stage. But her achievements didn't stop there.

Iyer, along with her teammates from the Kalashri School of Arts in Parsippany, also took home three awards from the International Dance Grand Prix Italia held in Italy this summer. The competition was fierce, with 34 teams from around the globe competing.

Iyer’s team was awarded top honors in the Folk category, grabbed the Best Costume award, and secured second place in the Ethnic category. The team's choreographer, Guru Bina Menon, also received special recognition for her contribution to the team's success.

Menon expressed her pride in the team's growth and maturity. “The children went through a lot of effort to accomplish this win. Every single participant is a better dancer today," Guru Bina Menon said.

Iyer has been studying dance since she was just three years old, making these accolades the result of many years of determination and hard work.

“This experience, the preparation leading up to it, and all the memories in between have been unforgettable for all of us,” Iyer said. She expressed her gratitude to Menon, saying, “Without the tireless guidance of our dear Guru Bina Menon, we would not have come anywhere close to the accomplishments and opportunities we saw this summer. Her mentorship has taught us invaluable life lessons that go further than dance, and I am forever grateful.”

In addition to her international accomplishments, Iyer has also made a mark within her school community at Morristown Beard School. She has showcased her talent in Sweet Charity and Inherit the Wind on the Founders Hall stage, entertained crowds at the School’s CultureFest events, choreographed a dance number for the School’s Diwali All-School Meeting, and performed in multiple MBS dance concerts.