About Aparna S.
Dr. Aparna Sindhoor, founder and Artistic Director of Navarasa Dance Theater is a teacher, choreographer and a performer. She one of the leading exponents of the Mysore Style Bharatanatyam and a master teacher of yoga, wellness and martial arts kalari ppayattu. She was awarded the NPN creation award, Arts International fellowship, “ShaktiDhama woman the year” and nominated for Los Angeles Stage Alliance Ovation Award and Kerala Film award. She has choreographed movies: Santhosh Sivan’s, Anandabadhram, S M Raju’s Varnam and has worked with Oscar winner Antony Dod Mantel and Cirque du soleil famed Franco Dragone’. She has been touring and creating more than fifteen dance-theater inspired by people’s movement for social justice. She was an artist-in-residence and has performed at Bates Dance Festival, University California at Santa Barbara, Wellesley college, Asian Art Museum, The CULTCH, Teesri Duniya Theatre, Ragayana and Amol Palekhar’s Theater Festival. Sindhoor started her training in dance with her mother Dr. Srivalli and in music with her father Prof. Balasubramanyam a young age and continued to study for fifteen years with legendary, Dr. Venkatalakshamma (Mysore palace dancer) and with other teachers including Lalitha Srinivasan. She is trained in yoga at Ramana Gyanna Kendra, Mysore, Kalari, music and acting. She is a Gold Medalist in Dance (Mysore University) and a PhD in Dance (Boston University.)
Reviews
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I've been looking for a teacher like Aparna throughout my life so I'm pretty happy I finally found a good guru. I learn both dance (Bharathanatyam) and yoga from her via Skype. Her attention to detail, insight and expertise, and inspirational teaching style have re-instilled my confidence and commitment as an artist. Highly and strongly recommend!

Aparna is a wonderful teacher and I am so glad to be learning from her. I have been taking Bharatanatyam lessons from Aparna for over four years via video-call. She has a strong command of the dance form and teaches it in an accessible way. She encourages creativity alongside developing a strong base. Even via video, she can see the details of my dancing and correct me appropriately. I had taken Bharatanatyam lessons for a couple of years when young, and done various dance styles throughout my life, but wanted to get back into it as an adult. I mostly do one-on-one classes but also joined a few group classes and I see that she is a good teacher for people of all ages. I've grown so much as a dancer and am really grateful for her guidance.

Aparna Sindhoor is a master-level Bharata Natyam dancer with a lifetime of insight and experience. Her teaching is customized, non-judgemental, and elevates your body, mind, and spirit. I started taking classes with Dr. Sindhoor six years ago after decades of Bharata Natyam learning and performance. I am continuously learning something new from her. She is flexible, understanding, and yet maintains the highest artistic standards. I strongly recommend her to any dancer looking for a dedicated, compassionate teacher in dance and life.

Aparna is a most remarkable teacher - with humility, and insight, she shares with you the vast expanses of her understanding of bharatanatyam and movement and embodying. Taking classes with her online has fundamentally altered, inspired and deepened my commitment to my art making and daily practice. I wish for everyone the gift of her transforming teaching.
Photos & Videos
3 Photos & VideosExperience
Adjunct Faculty
Aug 2019 - PresentCalifornia State University Northridge (CSUN)
Teacher and Director
Oct 1996 - PresentNavarasa Dance Theater
Teaching dance, yoga and martial arts since 1996
Adjunct Faculty
Aug 2015 - Dec 2015Santa Monica College
Adjunct faculty of dance: Indian dance at Santa Monica College.
Education
Yoga
Jun 2012 - Aug 2012Back bay Yoga
PhD - Dance, Cultural Studies, Women's Studies
Sep 2003 - May 2009Boston University
Yoga
Jan 1990 - Sep 1996Ramana Gyana Kendra
Dance
Jan 1980 - May 1996Venkatalakshamma
BA Performing Arts
May 1987 - May 1990University of Mysore
Languages
English
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Hindi
Professional Proficiency
Kannada
Fluent / Native Proficiency
Tamil
Professional Proficiency
Awards
NPN Creation Award
Aug 2013National Performers Network
Woman of the Year
Oct 2010Shakti Dhama - Women's Institute, Mysore
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