Priyanka's Arangetram
About The Dancer
Priyanka Balasubramaniam started her Bharatanatyam dance journey at the age of 5 with Guru Srimohana Balasubrmaniam. Priyanka has actively showcased her talents in various cultural events organized by esteemed institutions such as the Colorado Fine Arts Association, Sri Venkateswara Temple of Colorado, Hindu Temple of Rockies, Tamil Association Of Colorado, Colorado Telugu Association, Indian Dance Festival, Oriya Association, Cleveland Thyagaraja Festival, and Nadanalaya Dance Academy, Denver's annual recitals.
Piyanka showcased her proficiency in Bharatanatyam dance through examinations conducted by Alagappa University of Performing Arts Griffin College London. She has finished the final grade, grade 8 from Griffin College London and has a Diploma in Bharatanatyam. She was also a Finalist in the Saptami Bhartanatyam dance competitions.
Priyanka has also learned piano from Dr Vasana De Mel for 6 years. She has learned carnatic music from Ms. Sivaranjani, Mrs. Sudha Ramesh, and Dr. Arun Kumar
In College Priyanka has completed a dance minor along with the Bachelors of Science in Creative Technology and Design from the CU Boulder's College of Engineering and Applied Science. She has a business minor as well. In college she learned Afro Fusion, Hip-hop, Jazz, Contemporary, and African dance.
Priyanka is passionate about combining dance and technology. With her experience working at the non profit Swayam she is motivated to use technology to help special needs kids enjoy moving. She is currently working a National Science Foundation funded research project on building a dance robot for children with cerebral palsy
Rahul, her brother, is a hardworking and talented brother who always supports his sister. He is an upcoming junior at CU Boulder studying civil engineering. He enjoys playing the mridangam and is a Thalapathy Vijay fan.
Priyanka's family is a huge support in her dance journey!Her father Dr.Balasubramaniam is passionate about the arts. He always builds props for all Nadanalaya Dance Academy events. Even after hours of work he comes and watches the choreography to give his input. A huge support that Priyanka is very blessed to have. Her mother Srimohana just so happens to be her guru. For more about this lovely mother but very very strict guru check out her section.
About the Guru
Guru Smt Srimohana Balasubramaniam is the founder and director of Nadanalya Dance Academy. She has completed a Bachelors degree in Bharatanatyam from Jaffna University, Srilanka, and Masters in Bharathidasan University, India. She started being trained in the Kalkshetra Bani by Smt. Devaki Kulothunga Bharathi at the age of 4 and went on to subsequently learn Bharatanatyam from serval guru from India and Srilanka. Specifically, Prof. Krishanthy Ravendra, Smt. Padmini Selvendrakumar, and Smt.Shanthini.Sivanesan. Most noteablly professor Janathan sir from Kalakshetra and Nirmala mam from Kalkshetra. She learned nattuvangam from Nattuvanar Mahendran and Professor Vijay Madavan.
In university, she was a topper within the fine arts department and won awards such as a performer of the year. Her Masters research was on movement therapy and worked with specail need kids in university hospital of Jaffna under Professor Daya Somasunderam and Doctor Shivayogan. She moved on to become a dance lecturer at the University of Jaffna Srilanka. From there, she performed, choreographed, and composed many dance pieces and dance dramas such as "Thalivanai Thedi", "Vikramadithan"," "Nangai koor Navinangal", "Uthayanai thaduththa uththami", "Mazhai" and more. She learned drama and theater for 7 years under Professor Kuzhanthai . Sunmughalingam. She performed many plays. One significant was " Koor" which was performed all over Srilanka and gained media attention. She composes dance pieces and songs in collaboration with Professor Panruti Suresh. She learned theater expression ( Navarasa sathanam) from Professor Velu ji from Kerela. She is learning Natya Sastra from Sangeet Natak akademi awardee Shri Piyal Bhattacharya from Bengal.
After moving to Colorado in 2008, she started taking dance classes 2009. Her first performance here was a dance drama called " Kalaignanin Kanvu" at the 2009 Tamil Association. From then on, til now, she has done many creative dance performances and dramas in Colorado. She started a non-profit organization called Swayam in 2016, which focuses on using dance to help children with special needs. The students in her dance school have performed in many disability centers and the graduation of the special needs program at the University of Northern Colorado.She is part of Alagappa University performing Art center and her student take college-level exams there. In 2021, she is now the Principal of USA chapter for Griffin College London.
Orchestra
Thank you to the amazing Orchestra!
- Nattuvangam: Guru Srimohana Balasubramaniam
- Vocal: Murali Sangeeth V
- Mirudangam: Tanjavur R. Kesavan
- Multiple Percussion: K. Venkatasubramanian
- Violin: Anantharaman Balaji
- Flute: Dr .N. Girishkumar
- Keyboard: Dr. Vasana de Mel
Volunteers
Thank you to all these wonderful Volunteers!
- Priya: Manager
- Kiran, Mani,Sethu : Event Manager
- Kousalya Swaminathan: Food Supply
- Siddarth: Food Assistant
- Ramesh,Koothapiran,Mani : Event Food Management
- Renuka, Priya, Punitha, Kala: Front Decoration
- Swetha,Priya, Kala: Gift Managing
- Shyamala Godwin: Prop management from India
- Bala: Prop Creation
- Vishi,Vijay : Sound
- Siddarth: Audio Recording
- Sakthivel and Srilekha: Lighting Board
- Sanjay, Shiva, Bala: Stage Decoration
- Geetha: Decoration Timing Manager
- MC: Sriram
- Nira Aran: Makeup Artist
- Madhavi,Raji,Latha: Makeup Assistants
- Lakshmi Kora: Photobook,Invitation
- Sathya Vivek, Rahul, Sanjay, Mani : Driving
- Sumathi: Guest Contact Organization
- Nadanalaya Students: Reception Thank you to the Nadnalaya Family for the support. This event is possible due to you all
Chief Guests
Dr Padma Rahulan: Founder /Chairperson of Griffin College London
Mr Nathan Rahulan: Founder/Managing Director of Griffin College London
Event Details
