Prashanthi Chitre

🪔 About

Prashanthi Chitre is a prominent Indian classical dancer, choreographer, and educator specializing in Kuchipudi, based in the Seattle area, USA. She is the founder and creative director of the Prashanthi Chitre Institute of Performing Arts (PCIPA), established in 2012. Chitre's foundational training in Kuchipudi began with Guru Smt. Vasundhara Garu, and she continues her studies under Sri Pasumarthy Venkateswara Sarma Garu, a direct disciple of Padma Bhushan Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam Garu. With over 27 years of teaching experience, Prashanthi Chitre has mentored more than 1,000 students, ranging from toddlers to elders. Her teaching philosophy at PCIPA emphasizes Kuchipudi as the foundational dance form, while also incorporating Indian Folk, Bollywood, Western, Hip Hop, Latin, and Contemporary dance styles. She is known for her innovative choreographies that blend traditional Indian classical dance with global forms, creating a vibrant space for exploration and storytelling. Before dedicating herself fully to the performing arts, Chitre had a successful 13-year career at Microsoft. She founded 'Dance with DREAMS' in 1999, which operated until 2012, before establishing PCIPA. Her work has been recognized nationally; she received a National Winner award at Dance USA Dance on Zee TV in 2018 for choreographing PCIPA's Rockstar Team. She was also honored as a Featured Choreographer at BEST of DanceThis by the Seattle Theater Group in 2020. Chitre has choreographed for prestigious platforms including Dance USA Dance, Seattle Theater Group's DanceThis, and the Consulate General of India. In 2024, she was appointed India Cultural Ambassador by the Consulate General of India, Seattle. PCIPA celebrated its first Kuchipudi Rangapravesham (graduation) in 2023. Awards & Honours: National Winner (2018), Featured Choreographer (2020).