2026 Camps

All camps take place at the Natyalaya North studio.

Lavanya Ananth

Smt. Lavanya Ananth represents the graceful and picturesque Vazhuvoor style of Bharatanatyam – the exquisite classical dance form of South India. She has had the privilege of being under the tutelage of master artists Sri. S.K. Rajarathnam Pillai, Smt. K.J.Sarasa and Smt. Bragha Bessel. A firm believer in tradition, Lavanya Ananth presents her art form as an offering of the inner self with sculpted lines of perfection and symmetry in technical dance, and deeply involved emotions in expressive dance. Over years of dedication and perseverance, she has been critically acclaimed by senior masters and critics, and is recognized as one of the leading young exponents of Bharatanatyam. She tours her choreographic works and conducts workshops internationally throughout Asia, Europe, Australia and the United States.

Lavanya is the recipient of the prestigious ‘Ustaad Bismillah Khan – Yuva Puraskar’ from Sangeet Natak Akademi, India’s national academy for dance, music and drama, in recognition of her extraordinary services in the arts at a young age. An “A” grade artist of Doordarshan Kendra (public television of India) and an Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) empanelled artist, her other awards include “Nadanamamani – Shriram Award of Excellence” from Karthik Fine Arts and “Yuva Kala Bharathi” from Bharath Kalachar, both noted fine arts institutions in Chennai, India.

Dates : June/9/2026 – June/14/2026
June 9 : Meet and greet with the artist at the studio. Time : 6:00 PM. Followed by Adavu practice. Also on June 9, Level 1 class at 4:30 and Level 4 class at 7.

Please bring a notebook, pencil, water bottle. Wear dance school uniform, wear bindi, earrings and tie hair. Be respectful and get blessings from the teacher at the beginning and at the end of each class. Parents will not be allowed inside the class room when sessions are going on. Last 15 minute of every class can be used to record the teachings. Parents are requested to drop the children and pick them up after the camp is over.

Level 1 Beginner : Kids who are at adavus/Shloka level – $280 Time : 5.00 PM to 6.30 PM, Total : 7.5 hours Kids will learn a BHAJAN	Level 2 : Jathiswaram level – $300 Time : 9.30 am to 11:30 pm, Total : 10 hours Kids will learn an appropriate item for their level. If you are preparing for Salanga Puja or going to learn varnam, this level will be appropriate for you.
Level 3: Post-Varnam – Age 12 to 15 – $325 Time : 12.00 PM to 2.00 PM, Total : 10 hours Kids will learn Advanced Keerthanam. If you are training for presenting Kalarchana this piece will be appropriate for you.	Level 4 : Post-Margam – $340 Time : 6.30 PM to 8.30 PM depending on student’s availability, Total : 10 hours Students will learn an advanced piece

Private Lessons (Arangetram training): June 12, June 13 and June 14 – $345

Suma Krishnamurthy

Guru Smt. Suma Krishnamurthy is the director of Lalithashri Academy of Indian dance and Allied Arts. Lalithashri is an academy wherein students learn Bharathanatyam, Karnatak music, Nattuvangam and Theory of dance and music in Bengaluru, India. Under her tutelage, student will have the unique opportunity to learn Mysore style traditional pieces that are more than 150 years old.

Guru Suma Krishnamurthy have been doing summer camps for Natyalaya School of dance for over 12 years now. Students will be taught a piece along with theory, adavus and anga shuddhi. It is a great opportunity to learn from a renowned guru. Camp is open to students of Natyalaya only.

Camp dates: 07/07/2026 – 07/17/2026
07/07/2026 – Orientation from 6 PM to 7 PM followed by Adavu practice for all.

Level 1 Beginner: Pushpanjali level – $275 Time : 3.30 PM to 4: 00 PM, Total: 8 hrs	Level 2 Beginner: Alarippu level – $300 Time : 4.30 PM to 5: 45 PM, Total: 10 hrs
Level Intermediate: Salanga puja level – $325 Time : 1.00 PM to 3: 00 PM, Total: 12 hrs	Level Advanced: Post Margam – $345 Time : 6.00 PM to 8: 00 PM, Total: 12 hrs

Arangetram/Kalarchana Special Training classes: Morning : 9.30 am to 12.30 pm (Distributed amongst students based on requirements)

Final review if required on July 18. There will be a small recital of the camp pieces on July 18 at 2 PM in the afternoon.

Natyalaya Anga Shuddi Bootcamp

Anga Shuddi literally means “purity of body,” and can be interpreted as making sure all steps and choreography are done with clean lines, perfect posture, strong arms, and firm footwork. Every year, we offer a six-class bootcamp to polish up the adavus and get in shape before the Fall semester starts. This year’s camp will be taught by Kum. Nina Prasad, a disciple of Smt. Vinitha Subramanian and Smt. Kanaka Sathasivan. She has been co-teaching camps for four years, and is studying injury prevention techniques for dancers. She began learning Bharatanatyam at the age of six and has been part of Natyalaya School of Dance for over 15 years. Nina has also had the opportunity to learn from eminent dancers such as Suma Krishnamurthy and Narendra Kumar. In addition to performing at local temples and annual recitals, Nina has also participated in productions like Ganga: The River Story, Roopa Viroopa, and Alice in Wonderland.

Camp dates: July 21-August 6; $120

6 classes, 1 hour each at Anderson Mill studio. All levels.

Tuesday, July 21, 6:30 pm
Thursday, July 23, 6:30 pm
Tuesday , July 28, 6:30 pm
Thursday, July 30, 6:30 pm
Tuesday, August 4, 6:30 pm
Thursday, August 6, 6:30 pm