Introducing Youth Leaders

Youth Interns: dNc Scouts and Guides Program

Ayshani Atarthi is a disciple of Odissi, which is an Indian classical dance originating in the state of Odisha. Ayshani has been under the guidance of Guru Kaustavi Sarkar since 2016 and Smt. Narayani Mukherjee since 2012. She is a student at Dublin Jerome High School in Columbus, Ohio. Ayshani finds Odissi to be her primary medium to connect to her cultural and traditional background. She has performed in numerous solo ensembles in association with various organizations in Ohio. With the Ohio Arts Council, Ayshani had been awarded an apprenticeship grant through which she learnt a new style of Odissi, Guru Debaprasad Das’s style under the instruction of Smt. Bani Ray Deubler, an artist residing in New Jersey. Ayshani also choreographs modern and classical dance for Sai Nritya Sangam, a community dance facility located in Ohio. She has attended the North Carolina workshop, in the summer of 2023, where she was able to learn from Padmashree recipient Guru Aruna Mohanty. Additionally, in 2024, she had the opportunity to learn multiple dance pieces from Debasish Pattnaik.  Though the Ohio Arts Council Apprenticeship, Ayshani is able to work with Swagata Banerjee and hopes to enhance her learning even more through this session. Ayshani is currently a youth intern in the Dance and Community Research Institute at UNC.

Shreya Trikha is a disciple of Odissi dance which is an ancient Indian classical dance that originated in the state of Odisha. Shreya has trained under the guidance of Guru Kaustavi Sarkar since 2014. She is a student at Upper Arlington High School in Columbus, Ohio. Shreya enjoys practicing Odissi as a medium to connect to her culture and heritage. She has performed in solo recitals in Ohio and ensemble performances with her Guru. Shreya also practices Odissi under the guidance of Guru Narayani Mukherjee with the group Sai Nritya Sangam. She continues to extend her knowledge of Odissi through workshops and continuing projects. Shreya is currently a youth intern in the Dance and Community Research Institute at UNC.

Jiya Sood is a disciple of Odissi dance. She has trained under the guidance of Guru Sudha Grover in Edison, New Jersey, since 2016. She has been learning from Dr. Kaustavi Sarkar since 2022. She is currently a student at Cuthbertson Middle School in Waxhaw, North Carolina. She has done many ensemble performances with her group in Charlotte, as well as solo dances. Dance allows her to express emotions, stories, and thoughts that words might not capture. Odissi has helped her grow as a person and holds cultural value for her. She loves to dance because she is surrounded by the people she loves and it fosters a sense of community and connection.