Avni & Anika Vasani
Avni
Avni is a rising junior at the Scotch-Plains Fanwood High School. She began her dance journey at 5 years old with Guru Bala Devi Chandrashekar and has been with Gurus Suba Parmar and Swamimalai K. Suresh for the past seven years. Avni has participated in many showcases by Subanjali through her dancing journey.
Practicing Bharatanatyam over the years has allowed Avni to connect to her culture while building physical and mental stamina. She has developed habits, such as focus and commitment, which will aid her in all future endeavors.
Aside from Bharatanatyam, Avni's interests include sports and music. She has been a member of her school's varsity tennis team for two years as well as an instructor at a local tennis club. After seven years practicing Tae Kwon Do (martial art form) she has earned a third degree black belt. She spent the past two years learning how to play the Cello and has played the Alto Saxophone for her school's band for the past six years. Avni is involved in her school’s Model UN and Future Business Leaders club and enjoys attending their conferences.
Anika
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Anika is a high honor roll student who will be entering freshman year at Newark Academy this year. She started dancing at the age of five with Guru Bala Devi Chandrashekar, following in her sister's footsteps. Anika envied her sister's involvement in the art form and when able to partake, was quickly swept into it. For the past seven years, she has been learning dance from Gurus Suba Parmar and Swamimalai K. Suresh, and has performed for Shubhanjali at various cultural and temple events.
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The Arangetram process has exposed her to the spiritual and mental side of Bharatnatyam, allowing her a deeper understanding of the art. It has opened up a whole new perspective of thinking for her and has helped her find the hidden joys in life and dance. Her Gurus have aided her in obtaining the skills required for the Arangatram such as grace, mobility, stamina, focus, determination and mental resilience.
Apart from dance, her passions include sports, music and art. She has been playing soccer for the past eight years, including the last four years as part of two elite travel teams. She has spent seven years practicing Tae Kwon Do, where she has a third degree black belt. In addition, she enjoys seasonal activities, including skiing in winter and hiking in summer. She has also dedicated much of her time using color pencils to draw and paint portraits along with playing musical instruments such as trumpet and guitar.
