Akshaya is fun loving, curious, creative, hardworking, disciplined, shy and very kind girl. Akshaya will be starting her Middle school journey at Century Middle School this Fall!! Akshaya started learning Bharatnatyam and Carnatic music at the age of three in the guidance of Vidushi Shubhalekha Reddy. Akshaya gave her first stage performance when she was just five years old (too young to be on stage ). She gave many music and dance performances in Sri Venkateshwara Temple Edina, Hindu Temple of Minnesota Maple Grove and cultural festivals across Minneapolis.

She is blessed by her grandparents Jayachand, Shobharani and Annapurna Devi. Harshitha and Shashikanth are the proud parents of Akshaya Kankekar.

Akshaya is learning Music from esteemed Guru. Smt. Sandhya Saraswathi.

Akshaya is good at swimming and her swim instructor appreciates her quick learning and focus during her classes (Kudos!!). She is learning ice skating too (prep for the winter ). She is very creative and artistic girl. She loves to do drawing, painting, beads art, miniature creations, mimicking branded packages. She loves to play with her friends, biking, board games and hover boarding (hard to keep her at home in Summer ). She enjoys reading very much. She is very picky eater as she likes Yellow rice, Rajma, Pancake, Naan, Puri, Mutton curry (made by mom ). She loves travelling wants to visit places. She loves family time and occasionally she creates fun games too . She helps her parents in house chores too.

Akshaya loves playing with her little brother Shourya and take care of him very well through her innovative ways of plays, keeping him busy and sometimes does teach few naughty tricks (Shourya has his first teacher already ).

Wishing her success, happiness as she continue this journey in future!!

Benish Agasthya Mutha, 11 years old is an enthusiastic learner and talkative kid. He will be transitioning from Cherry View Elementary School to Century Middle School as a sixth grader. He is the first child of Govardhani Mutha and Hemanth Kumar Mutha and his every charming act and word invokes laughter in his baby sister Yashika.

He started learning Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music at the age of 4 under the esteemed guidance of his Guru Vid. Shubhalekha Reddy. From a young age itself he developed a natural interest towards learning Indian cultural music and dance and nurtured his skills ever after with his determination and support from his Guru and parents. At present he is learning Carnatic music under the guidance of his esteemed Guru Smt.Sandhya Saraswathi.

He is blessed to have performed Bharatanatyam dance and Carnatic music on various occasions for various indoor and outdoor events: Minnesota India Fest in capitol grounds, Sri Venkateswara temple Diwali events, Hindu temple cultural fest, International Peace Day Event,Mana Badi Annual event etc.

Besides Bharatanatyam, he is an avid book reader and loves to learn Kung fu and swimming. He also earned gold and green belts in Kung Fu and aspires to take it to next levels in the same. He commits himself to learn and carry his mother tongue Telugu. He has a special interest in Lego creations and has been part of a few Lego robotics camps.

His parents, grandparents and relatives/friends are so very proud of him and blessed to have witnessed such a passionate male cultural dance performer in this era.

Dhanya Thiriveedhi, an 11-year-old girl, is the youngest daughter of Aruna & Mohan Rao Thiriveedhi. She began learning Bharatanatyam and Carnatic music at the age of 4 under the guidance of her guru Vid. Shubhalekha Reddy, who is known for her dedication and passion for these art forms.

Currently, Dhanya is learning Carnatic music with her esteemed Guru Smt. Sandhya Saraswathi.

She has performed Bharatanatyam at various events in Hindu temples and local Indian festivals, showcasing her graceful dancing skills and love for the art.

Besides her passion for dance and music, Dhanya also enjoys painting, singing both classical and non-classical music. She is a lively, inquisitive, and adventurous child, always eager to learn new things. Dhanya is known for being talkative, friendly, lovable, and full of joy.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Dhanya likes to engage in sports such as gymnastics, swimming, and soccer. She has completed 5th grade and will be moving on to 6th grade at Wayzata Central Middle School.

Ridhima Birthray an 11 year old is a shining example of determination, grace and kindness.

Despite her tender age, Ridhima is carving a niche for herself in the realm of Bharatnatyam, where her performances mesmerize audiences with elegance. Ridhima started learning Bharatnatyam at the age of 5 and has been training under the guidance of esteemed Guru Vid. SubhaLekha Reddy. SubhaLekha is a beacon of artistry and knowledge in the realm of classical Indian dance. Ridhima is blessed to have been learning from Subha.

Ridhima’s talents extend far beyond the stage. With the same dedication she applies to her dance, she navigates the waters as a skilled swimmer, gliding effortlessly through the lanes with finesse and determination. Her academic brilliance shines as brightly as her performances, earning accolades in her studies through hard work and dedication.

However, what truly sets Ridhima apart is not just her accomplishments but her heart of gold. Known for her kindness and sincerity, she spreads warmth wherever she goes, making friends effortlessly and leaving a lasting impact on those around her. As she prepares to embark on her journey to middle school, she carries with her the unwavering support and pride of her parents Seema and Chaitanaya Birthray, who marvel at her achievements and the person she has become.

Saranya Chalasani is an exceptionally talented and dedicated young classical dancer, and an incoming middle school student. At the tender age of 11, she has already shown remarkable commitment to the art of Bharatanatyam, a classical dance form she has been learning since she was just 5 years old. In addition to her dance training, Saranya has also been learning Carnatic music from the same age under the guidance of guru Smt. Sandhya Saraswathi, demonstrating her versatility and deep passion for Indian classical arts. Her parents, Sowmya Chalasani and Ajay Chalasani, have been a constant source of support and encouragement in her artistic journey.

Under the expert guidance of her esteemed Guru, Vid.Subhalekha Reddy, Saranya has developed a strong foundation in Bharatanatyam. Her training includes mastering the intricate rhythms, expressive gestures, and dynamic movements that are the hallmark of this classical dance form. Guru Subhalekha Reddy has nurtured her talent with immense care, ensuring that Saranya not only excels technically but also imbibes the rich cultural and spiritual aspects of the dance.

Saranya is known for her discipline and respect towards her guru and the art form. Her dedication is evident in the countless hours she spends perfecting her technique and expressions. She approaches each class and performance with enthusiasm and a genuine love for dance.

In addition to her passion for dance, Saranya is an avid painter, often spending her free time creating beautiful artwork. She enjoys watching movies, also loves playing with her friends and is an enthusiastic swimmer, finding joy in the water.

Salangai Pooja is a significant milestone in Saranya’s journey as a Bharatanatyam dancer. It involves the consecration of the salangai (ankle bells), symbolizing her commitment to the art and her preparedness to entertain and educate audiences with her performances.

Shreyasi Arram Reddy is the dearest daughter of Vinusha Arram Reddy and Chaitanya Arram Reddy. As the first girl child in the family after more than five decades, her family dote on her and vouch for her to be the beginning of the best things in their lives. Shreyasi reminds the inner child in each of us with her boundless joy and is full of wonder.

At the age of 7, Shreyasi started showing curiosity to learn the classical art forms by seeing her cousins and friends perform. This began her journey of learning Bharatanatyam under the guidance of her illustrious guru, Vid. Shubhalekha Reddy, who exemplifies dedication and thirst for learning the art forms. Shreyasi immersed herself in Bharatanatyam’s grace, beauty, and heritage and started learning the nuances of Bharatanatyam from her guru. The passion and confidence she developed by learning and performing at various events positively impacted other aspects of her life and developed her into a well-rounded child.

Shreyasi learns Carnatic music under the guidance of her revered guru Smt. Sandhya Saraswathi and enjoys every bit of it. She wants to further explore other art forms and plans to start learning Violin this year.

Shreyasi completed her fifth grade at Sunset Hill Elementary School and will go to Wayzata East Middle School for her Sixth grade this fall. Her teachers and friends at Sunset Hill Elementary School adore her as she is kind, respectful, and fun to be with. She enjoys solving mathematical problems, loves reading fiction, exploring her creative side with art, engaging in sports and relishes working on projects in her enrichment classes. Shreyasi is a good swimmer and loves going to the swimming pool with her friends. She recently developed interest in playing Soccer and wants to continue to pursue it.

Wishing her every happiness and success!!!

Shubhalekha Reddy is a dedicated artist and educator with a profound background in Bharathanatyam. She began her dance journey at the age of five and Carnatic Music training under her mother, Smt. Sandhya Saraswathi, and continued Bharathanatyam trained under Karnataka Kalashree Vidhushi Smt. Brunda Krishna Iyengar, successfully completing the Vidwat examination by the Karnataka Secondary Education Board (KSEB).

Holding an MSc in Statistics, Shubha Lekha balances her academic and artistic pursuits. She has spent over a decade training young talents in Bangalore alongside her mother and has served as an examiner for KSEB.

In the USA, she founded the Shubha School of Arts (LLC), where she has been nurturing budding artists for the past seven years. Shubhalekha has also delved into Sugama Sangeeta and completed her Arangetram in both Mohiniyattam and Nattuvangam, under the guidance of Smt. Anupama Menon and Guru Shri Hemant Lakshman respectively.

Her continuous learning includes training in Konnakole, Natyashastra, and other dance forms such as Kathak, Odissi, and Bharathanrutya. Her commitment to dance and music is evident in her dedication to teaching and continuous learning. Shubha Lekha’s passion for dance and music is matched by her dedication to fostering the next generation of artists.