Founder

Saranya Manikandan is a rising junior at the Todd Allen Phillips Center for Medical Sciences at Mills E. Godwin High School. Her love for dance began long before her first dance class. As soon as music started playing, she couldn't resist moving. At the age of five, she began training in Bharatanatyam and has dedicated the past decade to mastering the classical art form. After beginning her training in Connecticut, she continued her dance journey at Sri Nateswari Natyalaya in Richmond, where she successfully completed her Arangetram, marking a significant milestone in her Bharatanatyam education.

Beyond classical dance, Saranya's passion naturally expanded into hip-hop, fusion, and semi-classical styles. What began as recreating Michael Jackson's iconic moves at home evolved into a deep appreciation for blending diverse dance forms. She joined Bollywood classes where she met her closest friend and partner.

Over the years, Saranya has established herself as a versatile dancer, choreographer, and instructor. She has earned numerous county- and state-level awards for her semi-classical and fusion choreography and performances, while also leading competitive dance teams to consistent first-place finishes at prestigious events such as the Festival of India (FOI) and the India Association of Virginia (IAVA.) Through every performance and every class, she teaches, Saranya remains committed to sharing her love for dance, fostering creativity, and inspiring the next generation of performers.