Aparna Gurumurthy began her Baratanatyam training at the age of six and later underwent 15 years of intensive training under the legendary guru, Padma Vibhushan awardee Dr.Padma Subrahmanyam at Nrityodaya, Chennai. Coming from a family deeply connected to the performing arts, she earned the Nritya Praveshika, Nritya Visharada, and Nritya Sali certifications, mastering the 108 Karanas. She also completed teacher training and performed her Nattuvangam Arangetram at Nrityodaya. As a faculty member at Nrityodaya, she assisted in undergraduate and postgraduate Fine Arts programs conducted in association with SASTRA University. Aparna has performed extensively across solo recitals at Chennai’s prestigious sabhas, including Kartik Fine Arts and Bharat Kalachar. She also featured in renowned dance productions such a Pavai Nonbu, Gurave Namaha, and Meenakshi Kalyanam.
Since moving to the United States in 2011, Aparna has continued to perform, teach, and choreograph, presenting solo recitals at temples and cultural festivals across Maryland and Virginia and participating in the Abhinaya Salon Series organized by the Indian Dance Educators Association. She has choreographed original productions including Oothukaadu Bhakti, Kalyana Rama, Nava Vidha Bhakti. Holding a Master’s in Fine Arts from Aria University, along with an MBA and a Bachelor of Engineering degree, she is the founder and director of Nrityasamarpan School of Baratanrityam in Baltimore, where she trains students in the mārga tradition of Bharata’s Nāțyaśāstra. She continues her learning he Nattuvangam under Vidwan Nagai P. Sriram further deepming he understanding of rhythm and musicality. As a mother, choreographer, Bharatanatyam teacher, and public school educator, she remains committed to the belief that learning in the arts is a lifelong journey.