Hi, I'm Mia
About Me
Mihita is a distinguished seventhgrade student enrolled in a gifted education program, where she demonstrates exceptional dedication to both academics and the performing arts. A natural dancer, she began dancing as soon as she could walk. She started her formal training in Bharatnatyam under the tutelage of Guru Aparna Matange at the age of six, making her the youngest student to perform an Arangetram from the Nritya Surabhi School of Dance.She has been selected for the prestigious Gifted Dance program in Virginia Beach, through a rigorous selection process. This year, she earned the notable distinction of being the only seventhgrade student from her school selected for the AllDistrict Chorus,,reflecting her outstanding musical ability and commitment to excellence. She has alsoreceived multiple awards in vocal performance, further highlighting her versatility as an artist. In addition to her achievements in music and dance, Mihita is an accomplished gymnast, balancing artistic expression with athletic discipline. Always having a strong desire to help people around her, she aspires to be a Psychiatrist when she is older. Through her continued pursuit of the arts and her strong work ethic, Mihita exemplifies dedication, talent, and a passion for growth. She looks forward to taking her training under her beloved Aparna Maushi to advance her skills and meaningfully contribute to the performing arts community in years to come.
Hi, I'm Ami
About Me
Ami started learning Bharatanatyam from a very young age, continuing to use the lifelong lessons of commitment, discipline, and expression in various areas of her life. From musical theatre, to ballroom dance, and of course, Bharatanatyam, she has always had one foot on the stage. Performing at IndiaFest, Taste of India, and several other festivals both in the Hampton Roads and South Florida have been wonderful opportunities to showcase the skills honed by her Guru, Mrs. Aparna Matange. In addition to this, Ami has been a student director for various programs, both within her school and at the Hindu Temple of Hampton Roads; the arts, no matter the form, have always been an important part of her life. Ami is a leader, both in her community and across Virginia, becoming the Executive Board President of YSLT, the largest volunteer organization in the state. She was the youngest member ever elected to the YSLT Board in her sophomore year, presenting at national conferences and speaking to legislators in an effort to fight for a healthier Virginia. In school, she advocates for her peers as the Vice President of TIDE, promoting a safe, inclusive space for all. Ami is the proud recipient of the Debra L. Elam Award for Outstanding Volunteering, receiving recognition from the Mayor of Virginia Beach, together with accolades from the VA Senate. Graduating at the top of her class, she plans to major in Behavioral Neuroscience and International Relations, a decision cemented after receiving a Certificate of Merit from the International Neuroscience Olympiad. Dancing has always been one of her greatest loves, and she hopes to keep performing for years to come.
Our Guru
Aparna Matange is one of the most accomplished Bharata Natyam dancers and teachers in South Florida. Trained in Bharata Natyam under the expert guidance of distinguished Guru and legendary exponent of Bharata Natyam, Dr. Sucheta Chapekar, Aparna is privileged to have the honor of being one of her seniormost disciples. Recognized as a multi-talented artist, Aparna is an accomplished performer, an innovative choreographer, a dedicated teacher, a soulful singer, and an outstanding organizer. Aparna conducts Bharata Natyam classes for kids and dance enthusiasts in South Florida under the banner of her dance school, Nritya Surabhi School of Dance. Aparna is a recipient of a scholarship in dance by the Government of India and has been bestowed with the title of Singaar Mani; by the Sur Singaar Samsad. She received special recognition from the University of Mumbai for creating a record of being a Gold Medalist in the inter-collegiate dance competitions for 3 consecutive years. In 2024, Aparna was awarded the Outstanding Leadership Award by Miss Bharat, Florida. Aparna has choreographed many dance presentations for various cultural organizations and is actively involved in various group dance choreography productions, including Malati Madhav,Rejuvenation, Tamasoma Jyotirgamaya, PanchaNidhi – The Enigma of Five, Anvita, Surya, Nrityam, The Jungle Book series, Namesake, Point of Convergence, Cuban Indian Musical; Dance Voyage, Celestial India, Nritta, and Dashavataram. Aparna is an active member of the Indian community in South Florida. Along with being the President of the Maharashtra Mandal of South Florida, Aparna regularly performs, choreographs, and conducts a variety of cultural activities for various organizations. With a Master’s degree in Life Sciences, Aparna works as a Senior Technical Support Professional in Geotechnical Engineering software.
Our Parents
Our dad is Amit Badiye, and he is an associate professor and medical director for the UF Health Cardiogenic Shock Program. He is board-certified in interventional cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. Our mom is Kavita Thombre, and she is a biomedical engineer working as regulatory affairs specialist at LifeNet Health. They have always been supportive and patient with our endeavors. They inspire us to work hard and be better people to achieve our dreams.
Our Dog- Cadbury