Krishnaveni Gurrapu

🪔 About

Krishnaveni Gurrapu is an accomplished Kuchipudi dancer, choreographer, and teacher with over three decades of performing experience and 18 years of teaching experience. She received extensive training from eminent Gurus, including Natya Visharada Smt. Vempati Nageswari, Dr. Vedantam Ramalinga Sastry, Dr. Yashoda Thakore, and the late Sri Vempati Ravi Shankar. Her academic qualifications include a Certificate and Diploma in Kuchipudi Dance from Telugu University, India, and a Master of Arts in Kuchipudi Dance from Aria University (formerly UofSA), CA. Beyond her dance education, Krishnaveni also holds a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications from Osmania University, India, and a Master of Science in Computer Sciences from George Mason University, VA, USA. In 2007, Krishnaveni Gurrapu established "Abhinaya Tharangini - Academy of Kuchipudi Dance" in Ashburn, Virginia, with the aim of spreading the aesthetic beauty of Kuchipudi and using dance as a therapeutic tool for student development. The academy offers comprehensive, curriculum-based instruction in both theoretical and practical aspects of Kuchipudi dance and is affiliated with SAMPADA (Silicon Andhra Music, Performing Arts and Dance Academy, CA), providing certification courses. Her students have numerous performance opportunities at prestigious venues such as the Kennedy Center, Wolf Trap, and the Embassy of India. Since 2015, she has been an active resident board member of the Indian Dance Educators Association (IDEA) in the metro Washington D.C. area, where she now serves as its managing director. Krishnaveni has been honored with the "Natya Mayuri" and "Mahila Ratna" awards for her performances. Awards & Honours: Natya Mayuri, Mahila Ratna.