Sonali Skandan

🪔 About

Sonali Skandan is an acclaimed Bharatanatyam dancer, choreographer, and educator, recognized for her distinctive style that blends classical Indian dance traditions with contemporary sensibilities. Born in India and raised in the U.S. from the age of five, she has been a New York City resident for over 30 years, with her work reflecting the city's dynamic urban environment. Skandan's extensive training in Bharatanatyam includes rigorous study under renowned gurus such as Professor C.V. Chandrasekhar and Smt. Bragha Bessell of Chennai, India. She also trained with Smt. Thejeswni Raj and Smt. Indira Kadambi, and receives creative mentorship from Maya Kulkarni. Her studies have encompassed both theoretical and practical aspects of dance, alongside Carnatic music, South Indian vocal percussion (mridangam), and yoga. As the Artistic Director of Jiva Performing Arts, founded in 2007 with Carnatic musician Bala Skandan, Sonali leads a professional all-female dance company, Jiva Dance, and a school offering comprehensive training. Her mission is to make Indian classical arts accessible and engaging to diverse communities, amplifying new voices within the tradition. Skandan has choreographed four critically acclaimed full-length productions, including "Urban Kutcheri" (2006) and "Bharatanatyam Margam" (2004), and has curated three successful dance-on-camera festivals. Her performances have graced prestigious venues across the U.S., Canada, and India, earning praise in publications like The New York Times and Financial Times. A dedicated educator, Skandan holds a Master's degree in Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. She has held faculty positions at Sarah Lawrence College and Queens College, and was the first Bharatanatyam instructor at the Joffrey Ballet Summer Intensive. She also developed and recorded Bharatanatyam lessons for Juilliard's online educational program and teaches at New York University's Coles Center. In recognition of her artistry, Sonali Skandan was honored with the title "Natya Ratna" by Trinity Fine Arts in Chennai, India, in 2018. Under her leadership, Jiva Dance was also awarded the CUNY Dance Initiative residency at Queens College and the Dance/NYC Dance Advancement Fund in 2017. Awards & Honours: Natya Ratna (2018), CUNY Dance Initiative residency (2017), Dance/NYC Dance Advancement Fund (2017).