Vani Krishnamurthy is an arts entrepreneur and advisor for artistic organizations. Her performing arts and art history background, along with her natural propensity to execute, have allowed her to consistently achieve her mission: to increase accessibility in the arts and culture space. She has spent over 20 years translating, moderating, and communicating between artists and their potential audiences, working in management, programming, and curatorial capacities in order to do so. Vani serves as an Associate at Harvard University's Lakshmi Mittal and Family South Asian Institute, overseeing efforts to increase the University's engagement with South Asian Performing Arts. She also serves as a Trustee on Women@NJPAC and the Visual Arts Center of New Jersey, offering her expertise on strategies to increase audience engagement through new educational and programming endeavors. She has worked with a number of major arts organizations in the past, including Lincoln Center, The Museum of Fine Arts Boston, Sackler Gallery at the Smithsonian, and World Music Institute. Vani has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Harvard University, and started her professional life at The Boston Consulting Group. As a U.S. Fulbright Awardee, she is a scholar of Chola temple sculptures in southern India and Devadasi history. While in India, she honed her 15-year study of Bharatha Natyam by training with celebrated experts in the country.

Jyoti Ananth is a mission-driven leader with over 20 years of experience in digital transformation, infrastructure modernization, and strategic governance across regulated industries. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Engineering and a Master's degree in Computer Science. Across a career spanning enterprise product and program management, consulting, and account management, she has a proven track record of translating complex organizational strategy into scalable operational outcomes across global portfolios and cross-functional teams. A dedicated student of Indian classical arts, Jyoti is a trained Carnatic musician who has studied under esteemed Gurus in both India and the United States. An avid listener deeply immersed in the nuances of the tradition, she brings a rare combination of organizational rigor and genuine artistic devotion to her advisory role — helping build sustainable frameworks that uplift the classical arts community.

Nidhi is a dedicated patron and practitioner of Indian classical dance, with over three decades of training, performance, and teaching experience. She began her formal study of Kathak with Guru Pt. Satya Narayana Charkaji and continued her training with Guru Janaki Patrik through Kathak Ensemble & Friends. She is currently learning under the guidance of Guru Smt. Shaswati Basu of the Aarambhik School of Dance, enriching her theoretical knowledge and further refining her technique and expression. Earlier in her artistic journey, she also studied Bharatanatyam at Guru Smt. Padmini Ramachandran’s School of Fine Arts, building a strong foundation across classical forms. As a student, performer, and teacher, she is deeply committed to the preservation and promotion of Indian classical dance traditions. She believes it is essential for current and future generations to appreciate not only the beauty of these art forms, but also their nuanced technique, lineage, and cultural distinctiveness. Her academic interests reflect her engagement with dance beyond the studio and stage and complement her artistic practice. While at Georgetown University and the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, Nidhi focused on South Asian affairs and examined shifts in the nature and impact of dance performances in popular, mainstream Hindi cinema. She continues to pay close attention to the influence of such performances on the Indian diaspora in the United States. With this cultural context, she is passionate about collaborating with others in honoring and respecting classical forms while acknowledging contemporary fusion styles. In addition to her artistic work, Nidhi has a professional background as a lawyer advising and representing startups, bringing a valuable blend of creative insight and organizational experience to Arts India US.

As a core and founding dancer for various contemporary companies, Aditi Dhruv is a contemporary and Indian classical dancer working in New York for 30 years, and has been described by the New York Times as a "...keenly focused..." dancer. She received Bharathanatyam training in Houston, Texas and in Chennai, India. She studied Odissi at the acclaimed Nrityagram village in India and continues studying with Bijayini Satpathy. In New York, Aditi studies with various New York-based Contemporary teachers including Laurie DeVito and Anabella Lenzu. She has worked with many New York-based Contemporary South Asian companies such as Parijata Dance Projects, Thresh Dance, Rajika Puri, Janaki Patrik and performed across the US and internationally. Most recently, she attended the inaugural Anikaya Birds Intensive in Cotonou, Benin. Aditi is also a certified yoga teacher and has been teaching yoga in NYC for over 20 years, and continues her studies of anatomy & kinesiology with preeminent teacher, Irene Dowd. In addition, Aditi holds a Master’s Degree in Ethics & Society from Fordham University, writing her thesis on the political and moral ethics of the moving body. Outside of performance, Aditi continues to be committed to the larger South Asian dance community. She was a founding mentor/leader of CARESpaces and is often called upon as a senior dancer to mentor dancers and dance companies, known for her precision and skilled eye to detail as well all the overall arc of a piece. As a teacher, she is known for her attentive and focused method of teaching to a wide range of students (from Pre-K children to senior citizens) in a wide range of settings (schools, workshops, individual and small groups). As a dancer, teacher and scholar, Aditi aims to integrate the skills of in-depth, meticulous study of kinesiology combined with rigorous dance training and academic integrity that culminates in a comprehensive and nuanced execution of movement and performance.

Srinaath Perangur is a versatile and passionate Carnatic violinist (Gurus -- Vidwan Vittal Ramamurthy and Vidwan Lalgudi GJR Krishnan), tutor, scholar and Sanskrit translator, and has performed over 200 concerts worldwide while being based in NJ. After graduating from Brown University with a dual degree in Chemical Engineering and Classics (Sanskrit), Srinaath relentlessly maintains his love for Carnatic music and Sanskrit while simultaneously pursuing a career in Chemical Engineering. He is also the Lead Cultural Content Editor for Mindful Kala, which aims to alleviate mental health and reduce implicit bias through Bharatha Natyam.

Vanilla Anandam is a PhD candidate in the Department of Art & Art History at Stanford University. Informed by eight years of study in Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music, she contributes research, survey design and analysis, and writing on cultural programming and access for Arts India US. Passionate about the transformative capacities of the arts, she is committed to increasing accessibility and engagement for broader audiences. In her spare time, she enjoys film photography as a gratitude practice, reading, learning to DJ, and being active in nature.

Samyuktha Rajesh Kumar is a passionate Bharathanatyam artist based in California, with an unwavering love for all things art. She seamlessly balances her professional career as an auditor with her dedication to dance and the arts. She holds both a Masters and Bachelors in Finance and Accounting, and is a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA). She credits her solid academic foundation for providing her with a broad perspective on various disciplines, while she attributes her training in the arts for enriching her daily life, grounding her beliefs and her management skills. A seasoned classical performer with over 18 years of training under her Guru Dr. Priya Karthikeyan, Samyuktha has graced many leading sabhas and temples, both as a solo performer and as a part of an ensemble. A regular participant in the Chennai Margazhi, her performances have been reviewed by notable publications such as the Hindu and Narthaki Magazine. In 2022, she was recognized by Doordarshan and placed under the "B" Grade for Bharathanatyam. Since moving to the U.S. Samyuktha continues her artistic journey, exploring opportunities to work with various ensemble productions, perform as a solo artist, volunteer and teach. In her professional career, she has taken many initiatives to drive change and enhance employee wellness. As a student, she was an active member of the Student council and also served on the board of the Rotaract Club as an International Service Director, where she played a key role in organizing and facilitating events. Samyuktha believes in the transformative power of the arts and is committed to fostering a vibrant and inclusive artistic community.

Kiran is a passionate student, teacher, and upcoming artist based in Chicago, Illinois. She has trained in Bharatanatyam under the exemplary tutelage of Gurus Smt. Hema Rajagopalan and Smt. Krithika Rajagopalan for the past 15 years. As both a solo performer and a company dancer, she has had the privilege of performing at prestigious venues. She enjoys teaching younger children at Natya Dance Academy’s classes and Chicago Public Schools as well. Kiran is also an avid carnatic vocalist and has been training under Smt. Vani Ramamurthi and Sri. Anirudh Bharadwaj since 2016. She has won several awards at well-known competitions and has performed both around the United States and in India during the Margazhi season. In addition, she is also trained in Veena. Kiran is currently a sophomore at the University of Illinois Chicago, pursuing a neuroscience major on the pre-medical track. Classical art forms have been an integral part of Kiran’s life and she aspires to grow as an artist under her Gurus while pursuing her academic journey in medicine. She looks forward to passionately sharing these art forms with diverse audiences.

Aadhya Sridharan is a multidisciplinary artist, Carnatic musician, and Bharatanatyam dancer based in Arizona. She has trained in Carnatic vocal music for over 15 years and currently continues her training under Guru Smt. Vasudha Ravi. In addition to vocal music, she has studied Carnatic violin for the past eight years, currently under Guru Sri Kamalakiran Vinjamuri, and has trained in Bharatanatyam for 15 years, currently under Guru Smt. Rashmi Prasad Mathkur. Through these disciplines, Aadhya has developed a deep appreciation for classical Indian performing arts and their role in storytelling, culture, and community. Aadhya is currently pursuing a degree in Media Arts and Sciences with a concentration in Film at Arizona State University’s Barrett Honors College, with a minor in Data Science. Her academic work focuses on visual storytelling, media production, and the intersection of art and technology. Alongside her artistic training, Aadhya is actively involved in creative media production and arts communities. She has experience in film production, photography, and digital media, and is particularly interested in exploring how traditional art forms can be documented, preserved, and shared through contemporary visual platforms. Through her work in film, photography, and digital storytelling, Aadhya hopes to expand cultural awareness and create meaningful connections between classical arts and modern audiences.

Aishwarya is a digital marketing professional, emerging sitarist, and multidisciplinary creative based in North Carolina, USA. With professional experience in digital marketing, analytics, and technology, she has worked across website management, digital communications, content organization, and data-driven insights, combining strategic thinking with creative problem-solving. She enjoys working at the intersection of technology, creativity, and culture, bringing both analytical and creative perspectives to her work. Aishwarya holds a Bachelor's degree in Information Technology Engineering from the University of Technology of Madhya Pradesh, India, and a Master's degree in Technology Management from the University of Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA. Her background in technology and digital strategy has shaped her approach to building thoughtful, accessible, and engaging digital experiences. Her connection to the arts is deeply rooted in her lifelong study of Indian classical music. Aishwarya has devoted over 20 years to learning and practicing the sitar in the Imdadkhani (Etawah) gharana under the guidance of her Guruji Pandit Arun Moroney. Beginning her journey with the sitar in 2004, she continues to explore the traditional repertoire, techniques, and expressive nuances of Indian classical music. This long-standing engagement with Indian classical arts has also shaped her appreciation for cultural storytelling and creative expression. Aishwarya’s creative interests extend beyond music into visual arts, handmade crafts, and design. Through her creative endeavor, BlissAndEmber, she creates and curates thoughtfully designed pieces inspired by Indian artistry, textiles, and craftsmanship. Her interests also include hand embroidery, painting, paper crafts, and other forms of artistic expression. Through her work in digital strategy and her connection to the arts, Aishwarya seeks to bridge tradition and modern expression, helping share meaningful cultural stories and creative work with diverse audiences.

Aanika Parekh is a multidisciplinary artist, dancer, and student based in Chicago, Illinois. She has trained in Bharatanatyam for over eight years under the guidance of Guru Smt. Mrugakshi H. Patel at Nartan Academy of Dance and completed her Arangetram in 2024. Having danced from a young age, classical arts have remained a central part of her life and identity. Alongside Bharatanatyam, she has also performed Garba and has participated in numerous community and charity events through dance. Through these experiences, Aanika has developed a deep appreciation for the role of the arts in fostering cultural connection, storytelling, and community engagement. Beyond performance, Aanika is passionate about community initiatives, improving accessibility, and creating spaces that encourage broader engagement with the arts. She values the cycle of giving back that has shaped much of her own artistic journey and hopes to continue contributing to cultural and community-centered initiatives through both leadership and creative collaboration. Aanika is currently a student at the University of Michigan Ross School of Business, where she is involved in business strategy, market research, presentation development, and collaborative problem-solving. She is particularly interested in the intersection of creativity and community impact, and hopes to continue building meaningful connections between the arts, leadership, and cultural accessibility.