Talent Tuesday: Taking Center Stage with Astha Parmar DMD 25, Rama Hakim AS 25, and Rebecca Kimn DMD 25
We know everyone at GSDM shares a love for all things dental. But what do GSDM students and residents enjoy doing outside of the classroom and patient treatment center?
This month, we will be publishing a four-part “Talent Tuesday” series featuring the talents or hobbies of 12 students and residents.
In the first installment, Astha Parmar DMD 25, Rama Hakim AS 25, and Rebecca Kimn DMD 25, share their passion for the performing arts.
Astha Parmar DMD 25: Bharatnatyam Dancer
Parmar has always found joy in Indian dancing.
She has fond memories of doing Garba dancing, a traditional circle dance, for hours with her family during a Hindu cultural festival.
When she was 5 years old, Parmar’s parents enrolled her in a local dance school in India so she could learn Indian classical dance styles, believing that exploring a traditional dance would be beneficial for her overall development and cultural understanding.
“After being professionally trained for 12 years, I developed a deep connection with the art form that goes beyond just a hobby—it’s a part of who I am,” Parmar said. “The discipline and rigor of the training instilled in me a sense of perseverance and dedication that has carried over into many other areas of my life.”
As of late, Parmar has been choreographing dances for special events, including her cousin’s wedding earlier this year.
“It’s incredibly fulfilling to see everyone come together, enjoy the process, and share in the fun and joy of dancing,” Parmar said. “This informal setting keeps my passion for dance alive and lets me continue to spread the beauty and joy of dancing in a more personal and meaningful way.”
Parmar said dancing serves as a stress-reliever from her dental studies, allowing her to unwind and recharge after intense periods of study or work and to come back with a refreshed and positive mindset.
“The balance between the physical and creative aspects of dancing and the technical and scientific aspects of dentistry creates a harmonious synergy that enhances my performance and well-being in both areas,” Parmar said.
Going forward, Parmar said she wants to expand her dance repertoire by studying Kathak, another Indian classical dance form, which she believes will bring a new dimension to her performances.
“Dancing is a lifelong passion for me,” Parmar said. “It is a journey of continuous learning and self-discovery. The joy of mastering a new piece, the excitement of performing on stage, and the satisfaction of creating something beautiful are feelings that never fade. This passion drives me to keep dancing, learning, and growing every day.”
Rama Hakim AS 25: Salsa Dancer
The first time Hakim heard a Selena song, she knew salsa dancing was in her future—she just didn’t know how or when.
Hakim developed a love of Latin American music and culture during her teenage years living in Syria but didn’t take her first dance class until 2023 when she was 28 years old.
“I remember listening to the music and I loved the music,” Hakim said. “When I saw people dancing, I was like this is something I need to learn.”
Hakim started taking both formal lessons and participating in social dances. Hakim, who was living in Ottawa at the time, became enamored with the city’s Latin dance scene.
“It is not just dancing, but also building a community,” Hakim said. “As an immigrant, it was not easy to make friends, but with Latin dance, everything comes together.”
When Hakim moved to Boston in July 2023 to start the DMD Advanced Standing program, she knew she needed to find a new dance studio to continue her study of Latin dance. She found the Allston-based studio, Salsa y Control, and later joined one of the studio’s performance teams. Hakim has had many amazing opportunities with her team, she said, most notably dancing during the B.I.G Salsa Festival in New York in May 2024.
“I feel this is me, this is Rama, when I dance,” Hakim said. “Every single smile is not fake.”
As Hakim enters the second year of the DMD AS program, she said her dancing background is going to help her communicate and connect with her new patients in the Patient Treatment Center.
“Even if you’re not an extrovert, when you dance, you learn how to be a people person, and this will help you a lot in your dentistry,” Hakim said.
As for the future: She knows Latin dance is going to remain a constant in her life, and she wants to continue to strengthen her technique and travel to countries famous for salsa dancing.
“I’m glad that I got introduced to this type of art because for real I never felt happier before doing any certain type of activity more in my life,” Hakim said.
Rebecca Kimn DMD 25: Clarinetist
When Kimn was a child, her older brother was a musician—and she wanted to follow in his footsteps. Little did she know when she started taking piano lessons at 5 years old that she would eventually perform at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s every young musician’s dream to perform Carnegie Hall,” said Kimn, who switched from piano to clarinet at age 9. “The venue itself carries so much history and prestige, being one of the most iconic concert halls in the world. The moment you step on stage, you feel that sense of awe and reverence for the legendary performers who have graced that same space before you.”
In high school, Kimn served as head drum major of an award-winning marching band, an experience that—combined with her high school’s strong performing arts program–challenged her to strengthen her musical techniques.
In 2015, Kimn was one of four clarinetists chosen through a rigorous audition process to perform with the National Association for Musical Education (NAfME) All-National Symphony Orchestra, one of top U.S. youth orchestras. Kimn said nothing compares to playing Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 in the Grand Ole Opry with fellow young musicians.
“My time with the orchestra was a transformative experience that deepened my appreciation for music and artistic expression,” Kimn said. “The level of musicianship was exceptional, and the rehearsals, while rigorous, were so fulfilling as we worked together to interpret and bring music to life under the guidance of renowned Maestro Jung Ho Pak.”
Music will always be a part of Kimn’s life. While an undergraduate at Cornell, she performed as a member of the University’s Symphony Orchestra and has even started to incorporate classical music into her externship. She and her preceptors have begun playing calming music in the operatories, seeing a dramatic decrease in dental anxiety and stress.
“Dental school can be demanding, and it’s easy to define yourself based on academic achievements,” Kimn said. “I think it’s so important to engage in activities and find communities outside of school to have a more holistic and balanced view on life.”