Co-founder • Odissi Dancer • Dance Director
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay, a UCLA graduate and speech pathologist, is an internationally recognized Indian classical dancer. Celebrated as a child prodigy at age 11, Sharanya has been dedicated to Odissi dance since the age of 4. Her style uniquely blends classical technique with yoga, spirituality, and global influences.
She began her training under Srimati Nandita Behera and later honed her skills at Orissa Dance Academy with stalwarts like Aruna Mohanty and Manoranjan Prodhan. Dance critics have likened her talent to that of Shirley Temple. At just 12, she became the youngest performer in Los Angeles' Dance Kaleidoscope and has been featured in publications such as the Los Angeles Times, San Diego Tribune, and Orange County Register.
Known for her powerful yet graceful performances, Sharanya’s strength lies in her mastery of abhinaya (expressive storytelling). Raised in the U.S., she bridges her Indian heritage with Western exposure, bringing cultural authenticity and contemporary sensibility to her art. Her mission is to elevate Odissi as a spiritual and expressive dance form, rooted in bhakti (devotion).
Sharanya has performed at numerous charity events—raising funds for flood victims in Odisha, and dancing at hospitals and senior centers in California.
Her versatility spans dance styles like Flamenco, Hip Hop, Indian Folk, Bollywood, Korean, and African. She’s also trained in Tae-Kwon-Do and integrates martial arts into her choreography.
In addition to pageant titles like Miss Teen California and Miss South Asia, she worked as a newscaster for Showbiz India. Sharanya has performed and taught across the U.S. and India, receiving acclaim in both countries. Now based in Yorba Linda, she is committed to teaching and inspiring a new generation of dancers.
“Dance is meditation in motion. I strive to create a space where every student finds strength, stillness, and joy.”
Diwali at the Whitehouse
Dance Perfomance at the Whitehouse
Odissi performance in County
With Padmashri Guru Aruna Mohanty
Odissi Workshop with Padmashri Guru Aruna Mohanty
With Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra
With Wahida Rahman
With Gangadhar Pradhan, a renowned dance guru
With Pandit Ravishankar
With Nandita Behera, dance Guru
With Manoranjan Prodhan, dance Guru
With Birju Maharaj
As her teacher, I feel rewarded to groom such a gifted dancer
““As her teacher, I feel rewarded to groom such a gifted dancer” says US-based eminent Odissi dancer Nandita Behera - The Hindu, 2009” — Nandita Behera, Odissi dancer
Reigning Ms. Showbiz India USA Sharanya Mukhopadhyay
“Reigning Ms. Showbiz India USA Sharanya Mukherjee captivated the audience with a solo dance performance. Her grace, talent, and ability to win over the audience had not waned off even after a year in the spotlight” — India post, 2009
The promising prodigy of Odissi has emerged as one of the few promising faces of Odissi today
— The Hindu, 2009
“…different kind of joy”
“Celebrity singer Suzanna Guzman introduces Sharanya’s dance as a “…different kind of joy”, at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, December, 2009” — Suzanna Guzman, December, 2009
Sharanya Mukhopadhyay has emerged as a promising Odissi dancer
— Symahari Chkara, The Hindu, 2009
“The evening included a wonderful performance by Sharanya Mukhopadhyay, who wowed the crowd with a classical Odissi number”
— India Journal, 2010
