Smt. Sripriya Natarajan Moorthy developed her passion for Bharatha Natyam under the guidance of Smt. Revathi Kumar, (Director, Abinaya Natya Sala, Ellicott City, MD) and has recently begun studying the art of nattuvangam (rhythmic recitation and hand cymbals that accompany a dance performance) under the guidance of renowned dancer, choreographer and composer, Guru Sri Madurai R. Muralidharan (Artistic Director, Nrithyakshetra Dance Academy, Chennai, India).  She has given many performances in both New England and Greater Washington, including leading roles in Smt. Revathi Kumar’s presentations of Kalaimamani Smt. Krishnakumari Narendran’s dance dramas and various supporting roles in several performances of Sri Madurai R. Muralidharan’s acclaimed 2010 production of Silapadhigaram.  Sripriya’s sense of performance is informed by her experience in Western musical theatre, as well as a variety of Indian folk dance styles.  As a dancer, her performances are notable for the intensity of her expressions.

Sripriya is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  In 1999, driven by a conviction that dance should be a lifelong pursuit for anyone with interest, she co-founded MIT Natya, one of the first collegiate Indian classical dance organizations in the nation.  She has always believed that dance brings joy to world and cherishes every opportunity to bring dance to those who may never have realized that this art could be a part of their lives.  She has taught folk dances to local elementary school children, and organized group dances for college students with a focus on encouraging participation from those inexperienced in dance.

As a teacher, she delights in cultivating a love of Bharatha Natyam in her students, until they are confident and inspired within themselves to never stop learning and pursue this art to excellence.