NEW WEBSITE IN PROGRESS
www.sonyadevi.com

Sonya Devi Kumar is an Indian American dancer, choreographer and teacher with a career in dance anthropology. She was born and raised in Queens, NYC and is now based in Tampa, FL. She is trained in Kathak and Bharatanatyam and holds degrees in both Visual Design and Anthropology. She taught Indian classical & cinematic dance to adults and children in NYC from 2007-2019.

2022 - Currently Sonya is:

• Shri Sita (female lead) in East-West Kathak’s Ramayana Dance Drama

• Teaching virtual private lessons

• Training in Kuchipudi with her Guru

• Pursuing an online certificate in
Performing Arts Industry Essentials
from NYU | Tisch x Backstage

Sonya Devi learned from her Gurus in NYC, did an intensive course in India and has performed in USA, Canada, and India.

Bharatanatyam: Guruji Smt. Sadhana Paranji of Sadhanalaya School of Dance in NYC.
1-month Bharatanatyam intensive course in Kerala, India under Guruji Smt. Mary K. John of Kalatharangini Kathakali School (2012).

Kuchipudi: Currently training with Guruji Smt. Sadhana Paranji (2022).

Kathak: Lucknow Gharana from Guruji Pt. Satya Narayana Charka of East-West School of Dance (EWSOD) in NYC.

Dance Major: Ballet, Jazz, Modern & Acting
CUNY Queensborough (2008-2010)

Master Workshops
• Pt. Birju Maharaj and Saswati Sen
• Master Saroj Khan and Raju Khan
• Nayantara Parpia
• Leela Samson
• Savitha Sastry
• Sandip Mallick
• Parijat Desai
• Robert Battle

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NYU | Tisch x Backstage
• Performing Arts Industry Essentials Certificate (in progress)

CUNY Hunter College
• B.A. Degree in Biocultural Anthropology

SUNY Fashion Institute of Technology
• A.A.S. Degree in Visual Design

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* Biocultural Anthropology *

Sonya’s studies focused on Human:
• Biological Anthropology
• Cultural Anthropology
• Evolutionary Genetics
• Forensic Biology & Lab
• Early & Modern Migrations
• Infection/Disease in Archaeology
• Evolutionary Anatomy & Physiology
• Prehistoric Women & Gender Studies

Sonya Devi has performed in USA, Canada, and India. She was a professional company dancer and dance teacher at two award-winning Indian dance companies. She has 15 years of teaching experience.

PROFESSIONAL
• AATMA Performing Arts (2014-2019):
Company Dancer & Dance Teacher (NY)

• ARYA Dance Academy (2007-2013):
Dance Teacher (NY & CT)

• NYC Dept. of Education SASF Program (2012-2013): Dance Teacher (NY)

TEACHES
• Children & Adults
• Kathak (Beginner)
• Bharatanatyam (Beginner-Intermediate)
• Indian Cinematic (Beginner-Advanced) Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, and more.

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COMPETITIONS
• Sur Taal Hunar Ka Kamaal (India)
2021 Kathak Semi Finalist

MAJOR PRODUCTIONS
Kathak
• Ramayana 2022 - Lead Shri Sita
• Ramayana 2008-19: Group Dancer
• Krishna Leela 2017 - Lead Shri Radha

Bharatanatyam
• NavaDurga- Lead Chandraghanta
• Rama Dootha Hanuman - Lead Bnatyam
• Sri Venkateshwara Sringara - Dasavatharam

Kuchipudi
• Bhavayami - Sri Rama

AATMA Performing Arts
• MYSTIC INDIA - Company Dancer
• Rasa, Legends, Once Upon a Time - Choreographer and Company Dancer

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TV/FILM
• 2016 - “The Interestings”, Indian Airlines Passenger, Pilot Episode (Background)

• 2014 - NBC “Mysteries of Laura”, Diwali Party Guest, Episode 4 (Background)

• 2009-12 - Time Warner QPTV “India Talks!” (Kathak Dancer and Discussion Panelist)

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PAGEANTS
• Miss Teen Albany 2005 - 2nd Runner Up
• Miss India New York 2008 - Contestant

OTHER
• Carnegie Hall Summer Music Educators Workshop- Zoom Tech (2020 & 2021)

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NOTABLE EVENTS
• Madison Square Garden - NBA New York Knicks: Pregame Show Indian Heritage Night

• Wells Fargo Center - NBA 76ers: Halftime Show Indian Heritage Night

• NJ Expo - India Fair "Indiawale" dance with Bollywood actor Sonu Sood

• Canada Niagara Fallsview Casino - MYSTIC INDIA Tour 2015 (10 Shows)

• The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Annual Diwali Celebration: Ramayana (2009-16)

• Midtown Loft Terrace - Big Brothers Big Sisters #Confidance Bollywood Teacher

• Kerala, India - Kalatharangini School Bharatanatyam Pushpanjali