Dance Instructors
Surabhi Bharadwaj Founder | Artistic Director | Teacher
Surabhi Bharadwaj is a seasoned Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and teacher, trained under Guru K M Raman, Guru Radha Sridhar, and Guru B Bhanumati. She learnt the Karana movements under Dr. Padma Subrahmanyam and Guru Nirupama Rajendra. Surabhi holds an MFA in Bharatanatyam from Sastra University, Thanjavur and an MFA in Dance: Design and Production from Saint Mary’s College of California. Since 2017, she has been freelancing as a lighting designer.
Surabhi has received support for her works from the Zellerbach Family Foundation Grant, Dancers' Group's CA$H Grant, Deborah Slater Dance Theater, SAFEhouse Arts, and the Alliance for California Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program as the Mentor. She is also an Empaneled Artist of the Indian Council of Cultural Relations and is recognized as a Graded Artist by Doordarshan (the National Broadcasting Channel of India). She has received accolades for her performances across India, USA, Europe, and the Middle East. Until 2015, she worked as the Principal Dancer of Punyah Dance Company and Raadha Kalpa Dance Company.
Wearing multiple hats both on the creative and the management side, Surabhi has produced multidisciplinary works including ‘Ashrutam – The Unheard Voice’, ‘The Dream Tree’, ‘Finding Joy’, and ‘The Maze’. She continues to collaborate and create with a hope to bring communities together through her work.
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Varsha Vinod
A Young and Dynamic Dancer and Teacher
Varsha began her training in Bharatanatyam at a very young age under the tutelage of Guru Smt Chitra Vinod and since she moved to the US in 2018 she is continuing to learn under Guru Smt. Surabhi Bharadwaj. Varsha has completed Bharatanatyam Madhyama, Dwitiya, Pariksha, exams with distinction, conducted by Akhil Bharatiya Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, in Karnataka. Varsha is also trained in Classical music and is an Honor’s Roll student pursuing Neuro Biology, a subject that she is passionate about.
Varsha not only shines as a student but also as a teacher. She has been teaching 40+ students at Siddhi Dance Academy for the last 2 years and has laid a strong foundation in their dance education. She is building on her choreographic skills at SDA and was selected to showcase her work at the Ankura Choreographic showcase organized by Bharata Dance and Allied Arts. She has performed at notable venues both in India and USA and aims to continue practicing and performing no matter what part of the world she is in!