Viji Rao is a professional Bharathanatyam dance artist who is based in Philadelphia, U.S.A., where she is established as a performer, choreographer and teacher. Viji is the Director of Threeaksha School of Performing Arts that hosts dance performances, workshops and lecture demonstrations nationally and internationally. A highly acclaimed classical artist, Viji has performed in many of the prestigious venues of the dance circuit in U.S.A and abroad. Also well known for her teaching skills, Viji has conducted dance workshops in U.S.A, India, Canada and Britain. She has visited UK on several occasions to participate in major international touring productions with Chitraleka & Company, Shobana Jeyasingh dance Company, Moby Duck and Sampad. Viji has visited Canada to participate in the touring production with Lata Pada’s Sampradaya dance Company. Viji has assisted Anitha Ratanam of Arangham dance Company in Choreography and also performed in the production, which toured India. Viji has been residing in Philadelphia since 2002, and is performing in and around the country and sharing her experience through Workshops and demonstrations with the community in Philadelphia.

Dance Training:

1995 - to date   Kechara School of Classical Dance.Teachers: Guru’s Sridhar and                             Anuradha Sridhar
1992 - 1995      Lasya Institute of Dance.Teacher: Dr. Alkananda Kishore
1978 - 1992      Sri Durga Parameshwari Nritya Niketana.Teacher:
                             Guru K Shivarao

Professional Experience:

July 2005	THREEAKSHA INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, Philadelphia: Conducted workshop for three weeks on the practical, theory aspects and choreographic ideas of Bharathanatyam.
	SAMPRADAYA DANCE COMPANY, Canada: Tour of Ontario and western Canada with VIVARTA, Manifestation of Vishnu and HOWZAAT! - A refreshing take on the sport of cricket.
Jan – Feb 05	THREEAKSHA INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, Philadelphia: Conducted workshop on theory aspects of Bharathanatyam, for the young talents here in Philadelphia .
Dec 04- Jan 05	Chitraleka Dance company, U.K: Touring of production “ story of carbon”, in India.
Sep – Nov 04	Chitraleka Dance company, U.K: Remount of production” Story of Carbon”, which toured England.
May–June 04	Sampradaya Dance creations, Canada: Remount of company work “HYPHANATED” toured whole of Ontario.
Mar– April 04	Sampad and Chitraleka dance company, U.K: In collaboration with Birmingham Symphony Orchestra “Savitri” an opera. Dance choreographed by Piyali Ray.
Nov03– Jan 04	Moby Duck, U.K: In collaboration with Chitraleka Dance Company Performer for Company’s touring Story telling project ‘ Story that went to Sea’.
Sep – Oct 03	Chitraleka dance company, U.K: Member of company’s touring dance production “Story of Carbon”.
July – Aug 03	Sampad, U.K: Worked as an Assistant Dance Choreographer with Piyali Ray for a Threatre Production ‘Layla Majnu’.
June – Jul 03	THREEAKSHA INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, Philadelphia: Performed couple of shows for the Free Library in Philadelphia as a weekly entertainment to the patrons.
May – June 03	Chitraleka dance company and Sampad, U.K: Member and Choreographer of Company’s National touring Dance production ‘ Raga and Reels’ A perfect blend of Indian and Irish dancing. Also member of Sampad’s dance production ‘Anga’ Directed and Choreographed by Mavin Khoo.
Jan – April 03	Moby Duck, U.K: In collaboration with Chitraleka dance company Member company’s touring story telling project ‘Beans’ Also did Workshops for the company.
June – Aug 03	THREEAKSHA INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, Philadelphia: Conducted workshops with Senior artists from India, and also choreographed a piece on “MOON” with Bharathanatyam as the base and using contemporary movement.
Aug - Oct 02	Lata Pada’s Sampradaya Dance Company, Canada: Member of the company’s national Touring dance production ‘Hyphenated’.
Oct – Nov 02	Cirque Du Soleil, New York: Auditioned artist for “DRALION”.
Nov – Dec 02	Anitha Ratanam’s Arangham Dance company, India: Assistant choreographer and also member of the company’s national touring dance production ‘Marali’.
July - Sep 02	THREEAKSHA INSTITUTE OF PERFORMING ARTS, Philadelphia: Took workshops from senior visiting teacher on improving my skills in performance and also choreography.
Mar 01- Feb 02	Chitraleka & Company, U.K: Training Youth Group, delivering dance education work in schools and professional development of young Bharatanatyam artists. 'Crossing Boundaries - Talisman', collaboration project with Birmingham Royal Ballet. Solo performances.
Feb - May 1999	Chitraleka & Company, U.K: Member of the company's national touring dance production 'Ashtanayika'. Also gave workshops and solo performances.
Sep - Nov 1998	Shobana Jeyasingh Dance Company, U.K: Member of a research & development team.
Feb - May 98	Chitraleka & Company, U.K: Toured nationally with the company's productions, 'Power & Grace' and 'Emotions'

Paper Reviews

Poised performer, blessed with a pleasing stage presence and agility viji went through the performance with confidence. The shankarabharana Varna "Manavi" which formed the central piece of the performance was studded with gripping jathis and sancharis. The clarity in the hand movements and clean lines, perfect execution of muktayas, the mandi adavus and thattu-mettu all negotiated with ease created an impression that dancing was an easy proposition.
The Sunday times, Bangalore. 2002

Tidy Presentation, Young and talented dancer Viji had a neat and tidy Bharathanatyam recital. Her nritta, nrithya and abhinaya shone forth in the presentation of a Varna "Manavi". The muktayas in particular were a visual treat indeed. The dancer continued to show her prowess in sketching a madhyama Khandita nayika through a pada "Indendu" in suruti. Viji portrayed Narasimha avatara and a few important scenes like Kurukshetra Yuddha, Gettopadesha and killing of Duryodhana with aplomb. Her face and eyes could convey the appropriate emotions making mukhijaabhinaya a purposeful one.
The Hindu, Bangalore, 2002

Viji with her sparkling eyes left the audience awestruck with her superb sense of rhythm. Her performance had a great impact.
Deccan Herald, Bangalore, 2003

Viji is a present day dance exponent her accolades include, performances in Indian institute of world culture, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan. Also, she has won the title pride of the state (Karnataka, India) twice when she stood first in national level competitions.
Spotlite, Bangalore, 2004

Viji is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, has an interesting way of blending the Nritta and Nritya
Birmingham city, United Kingdom

Training and workshops attended

Workshops under Guru Kalanidhi Narayan (Abhinaya)
One-to-one training under Guru Braga Bessal on Abhinaya items
One-to-one training under Guru Savitri Jaganath Rao, Kalakshetra
7-weeks intensive training in Contemporary and Ballet at the Place
Theatre in London
5-weeksintensive training in 'Chhau' (Martial Art form of Orissa) under Guru Gopal Dubey of Mumbai.
3-weeks training in 'Kalaripaittue' (Martial Art form of Kerala) under
Guru C V Kalari of Kerala.
6-weeks intensive aerobics course with Jane Fonda Foundation.