UPASANA PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
Staff
Meet our dance teachers! At Upasana, all students benefit from a co-teaching approach, where instructors work collaboratively to guide learning in the studio. This model exposes students to a variety of teaching styles, perspectives, and instructional strategies, creating a richer and more engaging learning experience. By fostering collaboration among teachers, co-teaching also strengthens classroom community, ensuring that students feel supported, connected, and empowered to succeed.
Sonia Chaudhuri
Founder, Director, and Master Instructor
Bio: Sonia is an accomplished Kathak dancer whose performances are testimony to her deep understanding and love for this beautiful art form. She has been professionally trained in Kathak by Smt. Prachi Dixit (LA, California) and Pandit Sontosh Maharaj (Kolkata, India). Since founding Upasana Performing Arts in 2003, Sonia has had the privilege of training hundreds of students and choreographing numerous original dance productions. Sonia Chaudhuri has a Bachelors in Dance Education from Stephens College and a Master of Arts in Education from Belmont University.
Mohera Narimetla
Dance Instructor
Bio: Mohera has studied Kathak under the tutelage of Sonia since the age of 5. Currently, she serves as a teacher at Upasana and is an active, senior member of the Sonia Chaudhuri Dance Company. In March 2024, she became the third disciple of Sonia Chaudhuri to present her Samarpan, with a thematic emphasis on the divine feminine. In 2021, Mohera graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a double Bachelor's in chemical engineering and mathematics. She is pursuing her passion for Kathak professionally.
Kanak Gupta
Dance Instructor
Bio: Kanak started her journey learning Kathak at Upasana at the age of 5. She has been a teacher at Upasana since 2018 and is an active, senior member of the Sonia Chaudhuri Dance Company. In June 2021, she became the second disciple of Sonia Chaudhuri to present her Samarpan. In 2024, Kanak graduated with a Bachelor's in International Business and Business Systems and Analytics from Belmont University. She is actively engaging in Kathak at a professional capacity, driven by her deep passion.
Ishani Ganguly
Dance Instructor
Bio: Ishani joined Upasana Performing Arts Center at the age of 6 where she began her intensive Kathak training under Sonia Chaudhuri. Since 2014, Ishani has been teaching at Upasana while being a senior member of the Sonia Chaudhuri Dance Company. In 2018, she was the first disciple at Upasana to complete her Samarpan. Three years later, Ishani graduated from Belmont University with a Bachelor’s in Global Social Entrepreneurship. She now continues to pursue Kathak at a professional level.