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I grew up in Bangalore, India, and lived there till I was 14 years old. Personally, being born and raised in India has affected my artistic adventures and experiences significantly.  From an early age, I was deeply interested in the art of dance and so I joined my first dance class at the age of just 3 years old and have never stopped dancing since. Throughout my time at school up until my freshman year of high school, I continued to take classes and further develop my skills and passion for dance. I would perform at various events such as weddings, school performances, festivals, and family gatherings as all of these are big parts of my Indian culture.

During my freshman year of high school, I auditioned for a professional one-year program dance course, which required me to dance for about 12-14 hours every single day for 365 days in a row. I was selected as 1/50 most talented dancers in India and went on to complete the program. Although it may seem extremely intensive, I absolutely loved every second of it as I was doing what I love doing every day of the year. Through the course of this program, I was able to train in ballet for the first time and had been exposed to multiple new styles and experiences. I also had the opportunity to perform with the biggest stars of Bollywood cinema on stage in front of millions of people. I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities I've had thus far and I wouldn't have been able to do any of this without the unconditional love and support from my parents.

After I moved to the United States, I continued my exploration of dance through various classes and performances in the same way I did when I was in India. During my sophomore year, I made the decision to join a competitive collegiate dance team and I was the only high school student in the entire circuit across all colleges in the nation. I then went on to travel, compete and make it to nationals with the team for the next three years of my high school journey and was heavily involved in dance at my high school through being the president of the national honors society of Dance and also founding a Bollywood dance club.

I am currently a first-year student pursuing a double major in dance and business at the University of Texas at Austin and am in my first year. I intend to gain as much knowledge as I possibly can and continue to grow as a performing artist during my time at UT through being involved in various staged productions, and shows and also captain a collegiate dance team. I would like to share a quote that I find extremely motivating, "Dancing is an art, The floor is my canvas, And I am the brush, And whatever I create comes from my heart"

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As a dance artist, collaboration is an integral part of my creative process. I firmly believe that collaboration allows for a diverse range of perspectives to be brought to the table, resulting in a richer and more layered final product. Through collaboration, I have been able to work with other artists and dancers to explore new ideas and push the boundaries of what is possible in dance.

One of the key benefits of collaboration is the ability to learn from others. Every artist and dancer has their unique strengths and areas of expertise, and when we work together, we can share knowledge and build upon each other's ideas. This, in turn, can help us grow as individuals and as a collective. Collaborating with others also allows for the opportunity to receive feedback and constructive criticism, which can be invaluable in refining and improving our work.

Another aspect of collaboration that I value is the sense of community and connection that it creates. Dance is often a collaborative art form, and working with others allows us to develop deep and meaningful relationships with our collaborators. These connections can extend beyond the studio and stage, leading to lifelong friendships and partnerships.

In my own work, collaboration takes many forms. Sometimes, I collaborate with other dancers to create choreography that showcases our individual strengths and styles. Other times, I work with musicians or visual artists to create a multi-disciplinary performance that incorporates different art forms. No matter the form of collaboration, I always strive to approach it with an open mind and a willingness to learn from others.

In addition to the creative benefits of collaboration, it also has practical advantages. Collaborating with others can help to spread the workload, making it more manageable and efficient. It also allows for access to a broader network of resources and opportunities, which can be particularly valuable in the dance world where funding and performance opportunities can be scarce.

Overall, collaboration is an essential part of my process as a dance artist. It allows me to learn from others, build meaningful connections, and create work that is richer and more diverse. I believe that collaboration is crucial in any creative field, and I hope to continue collaborating with others throughout my career as a dance artist.

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My work with a few of my fellow dance artists really taught me the importance of working together and supporting one another to make something spectacular that can effectively convey a message and make a difference. This was a collaboration that took place during the pandemic across two different states - Texas and California. This project was intended to change the negative stigma associated with mental health issues especially in South Asian Communities.

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Black Mirror: After Hour | Ashwin Suresh Productions

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As a dance artist, I place a high value on respect for my collaborators. I believe that treating others with respect and kindness is essential not only for creating a positive working environment but also for producing the best possible results.

One of the main reasons why respect is so important to me is that dance is a highly collaborative art form. Dancers, choreographers, musicians, and designers all work together to create a performance, and each person's contribution is essential to the final product. Without respect for each other's talents and abilities, it is impossible to achieve a cohesive and meaningful result.

Furthermore, I believe that respect goes hand in hand with communication. In order to create a successful collaborative environment, it is important to communicate openly and honestly with one another. This means being willing to listen to other people's ideas and opinions and being willing to compromise and make adjustments when necessary. When everyone feels respected and heard, it becomes much easier to work together towards a common goal.

In my own creative process, I make a conscious effort to show respect for my collaborators in a variety of ways. First and foremost, I make sure to express my gratitude for their contributions and to acknowledge their hard work and talent. I also try to be an active and engaged participant in the collaborative process, always willing to offer feedback and contribute my own ideas while also being open to the ideas of others.

Another way that I show respect for my collaborators is by being reliable and dependable. This means showing up on time, being prepared and ready to work, and following through on commitments. By doing so, I demonstrate that I value their time and effort and that I am committed to creating a successful outcome.

Overall, I believe that respect is an essential part of any collaborative process, and that it is particularly important in the world of dance. By treating my collaborators with kindness and consideration, I am able to create a positive and productive working environment that allows us to create the best possible performance. I am committed to continuing to prioritize respect for my collaborators in all of my creative endeavors.

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This is a dance battle after a dance workshop and is a pure example of the saying "give respect, get respect". Even though it is a dance battle, both us dancers had immense respect for one another and had a sense of healthy competition. In the end, we hugged it out and exchanged encouraging words for one another as we respect and appreciate each other's individual craft and dancing styles.

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