Jaikishore Mosalikanti
Kuchipudi

Sri Mosalikanti Jaikishore, the son of Chennai violinist Sri M.S. Rao was trained by Padmabhushan Guru Dr. Vempati Chinna Satyam of the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai for 18 years. He went on to receive accolades from critics and dance lovers for his technical perfection, flexibility, character transformations, choreography, performances, and teaching. Jaikishore was awarded the title 'NATYA VISHAARADA', by Kuchipudi Arts Academy in March 1999, and the title of 'YUVA KALA VIPANCHEE' by the Vipanchee Trust headed by Padma Vibhushan Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna in December 2004. His dances include over thirty solos, several thematic presentations, and dance dramas. As teacher and choreographer, Jaikishore Mosalikanti brings his deep knowledge of melody and rhythm to his aesthetic understanding of the Kuchipudi form. He has taught at the Kuchipudi Art Academy, Chennai for four years, from 1996 to 2000. Since 1996, he has annually conducted workshops at established Kuchipudi schools in St. Louis, Dallas, and Washington, D.C.  

Padmavani Mosalikanti
Kuchipudi

Padmavani Mosalikanti Vani, wife and disciple of Sri Kishore, trained initially in Kuchipudi under Sri M.S.R. Murthy at Kuchipudi Kalakendra, Mumbai and has a Masters degree in Kuchipudi dance from Siddhendra Kalakshetram, affiliated to Telugu University, Hyderabad. She has performed all over India and is known for her portrayal of 'Sathya Bhama' in the dance drama "Sri Kishna Parijatham". Since her marriage in 2002, she has been dancing, teaching, and wielding the cymbals as an integral member of their dance team. The couple recently completed a tour in Russia, where their performances and workshops won rave reviews.

Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance
Bharata Natyam

Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance is the professional dance company of Jiva Performing Arts, an organization based in NYC, which seeks to educate and present the classical music and dance of India. Jiva Dance began in 2008 under the artistic direction of Sonali Skandan. The company has presented at notable venues such as Columbia University, Manhattanville College, Queens College and the Indian Consulate in NYC to tremendous audience acclaim. They have also been featured on Ragachitram, a weekly television program dedicated to the arts of India. Sonali Skandan & Jiva Dance recently presented their debut evening-length production "Swarupa: Infinite Form" at the 2011 NYC International Fringe Festival to much critical acclaim, and was heralded as "a company to watch" by press. The Company was invited to present the show at the 2011 IDEA Living Dance Festival in Washignton, DC.

Mayuri Dance Company
Bhangra/Bollywood

Indian Dance and History of Indian Culture Studio was founded in 1987 at the Railway Workers Cultural Centre of Petrozavodsk by Vera Evgrafova. Its purpose was to unify people interested in the culture and traditions of India. Later, the name of the group "Mayuri" arose as tribute of admiration to the heroic dancer Sudha Chandran playing herself in a film about her own real life struggle to dance after loosing a leg after a car accident. "Mayur" means "male peacock" in Hindi, so "Mayuri" is a "female peacock" respectively. Over 23 years a whole pleiad of fabulous soloists dedicated their lives to the Indian art. They pursued professional dance careers and have already brought up students of whom they are proud. The repertoire consists of 200 dances, different in style, themes and musical arrangements. Modern rhythms combine with tonal complexities, blazing and sparkling folk dances are danced with arched personality and simplicity.

Mayuri Dancers:
Elena Fiskovets
Natalia Fridman
Alexandra Khannanova
Anastasiia Evgrafova
Ksenia Sigalova
Kseniya Panova
Shumikhina Nadezhda

Bageshree Vaze
Kathak

Bageshree Vaze was born in Pune, India, but raised in St. John's, Newfoundland, Canada. She initially trained in Bharatha Natyam, and studied vocal music with her father, Damodar Vaze. She later trained in Kathak dance with Jai Kishan Maharaj in New Delhi, and studied vocal music with the renowned Veena Sahasrabuddhe. Named MTV India 'rising star' in 2004, Bageshree has four CDs to her credit, including Tarana, a breakthrough album of music for Indian dance, which was also released in India by Times Music under the name Khanak. In 2009, Bageshree was featured as a guest artist with the Niagara Symphony Orchestra, and in 2010, she performed as a Kathak soloist in Pt. Birju Maharaj's 'Vasantotsav' festival in New Delhi. She was awarded the 2010 K.M. Hunter Award in Dance. In 2011, Bageshree premiered her contemporary solo Kathak work 'Avatar (9),' and in 2012, the double bill 'Damaru/Mudra,' which premiered at the Harbourfront Centre in Toronto.Bageshree recently completed a new CD Ragas and Rhythms.

Trinetra Chhau Dance Co.
Seraikella Chhau

The Trinetra Chhau Dance Centre Seraikella, Jharkhand, had been established in 1985 to promote dance, music and culture, and to impart this training to students. Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey is the founder member/ Secretary of Trinetra Chhau Dance Centre, Seraikella, Jharkhand. The Academy produces original dance works and sponsors festivals, exhibitions and workshops; supports research into rare dance forms; encourages both realistic and stylized theatre; helps poets and writers to publish their works; invites various Gurus to hold special seminars; and gives professional opportunities to budding artists. In India, the Trinetrea Chhau Dance Centre has performed for National Centre of the Performing Arts, Nehru Centre, Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation and for Television. Outside India, the Academy has performed at Symphony Space on Broadway, New York, under the aegis of World Music Institute and Solaris. It has also performed at Disneyworld, Disneyland, Springville Dance Festival, Carbon County International Festival, Bountiful Dance Festival and the Kansas University.

Chhau Dancers:
Pandit Gopal Prasad Dubey
Sanjay Kumar Karmakar
Tarun Kumar Bhol
Gopal Patnayak