Objective

Anu Arts Academy

Anu Arts Academy is a dance school that focuses primarily on the promoting and training classical Indian dance of Bharatanatyam. When Anupama Gopalakrishnan, moved from India to Virginia in 2001, she had less idea of opportunities available to fulfill her dream of having a dance school in USA. When she met few friends in the play area of the community where she lived in Falls Church, she realized that it is possible to inspire a new generation to carry on the Indian culture and traditions by teaching them Bharatanatyam. At first, the academy was started at her residence. Due to her involvement and through the support of her friends, now the academy has grown to two different locations in Northern Virginia with over forty students.

Although the main priority of the academy is to teach Bharatanatyam, occasionally kids gets training in folk and cinema dances. The students in the academy are given numerous opportunities to perform at local cultural programs and events which accept Bharatanatyam as well as folk and cinema dances.

Anupama Gopalakrishnan

Teacher and Founder of Academy

Anupama Gopalakrishnan is the founder and teacher of Anu Arts Academy. Mrs. Gopalakrishnan initially learned Bharatanatyam from her guru, late Shri. Vazhavoor R. Samraj. After her training with Shri Vazhavoor R. Samraj, she continued learning the dance in India for another five years with Guru Smt.Vijaya Malini. Mrs. Gopalakrishnan has been involved with Bharatanatyam and Indian dance for the last 20 years in various capacities as student, performer, teacher, choreographer, judge, and cultural program-coordinator for events conducted around Virginia and other parts of the United States.