Aparna Rao

🪔 About

Aparna Rao is an Indian classical Kuchipudi dancer, performer, choreographer, and teacher based in the USA. She holds a Masters in Kuchipudi from the University of Silicon Andhra, Milpitas, California, USA, and is a certified Kuchipudi dance professional from Telugu University, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh. Additionally, she possesses a master's degree in computers from Osmania University. Rao has been actively involved in Kuchipudi for over 20 years, serving as a student, dancer, performer, and trainer. She received her initial training under Guru Smt. Prasanna Rani in Pasumarthi's dance style and subsequently trained in the Vempati Chinna Satyam Dance style with gurus from the Kuchipudi Art Academy. Throughout her career, Aparna Rao has performed in various ballets, including "Mohini Basmasura," "Parvathi Kalyanam," and "Deva Devam Baje," often enacting lead roles such as Mohini, Parvathi, and Parushurama. She specializes as a solo performer and choreographer in traditional Kuchipudi forms like Tarangams, Shabdhams, Javali's, Keerthana's, and Padam's, and has choreographed numerous pieces performed by her team across the USA. Rao moved to the United States in 2006 for a software job but continued her involvement in cultural activities. She founded and currently runs the "Aparna Rao Kuchipudi Dance School" in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, since August 2014. Prior to this, she also groomed a team of dancers for performances in Bloomington, Illinois. She actively promotes the rich heritage of Kuchipudi to enthusiastic students and emphasizes the importance of understanding the theoretical foundations of Indian classical dance, including the Natya Shastra, for which she has a dedicated YouTube series.