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Sandhya was born in Costa Mesa, California. She traveled to India for the first time in 1968, where she attended the Rishi Valley School. Known for its academic excellence, Rishi Valley also has a strong performing arts curriculum. It was here that Sandhya got her first exposure to the classical dance and music of India, one that was to turn into a lifetime passion. After completing high school she came under the tutelage of the renowned dance master, Padmashri Adyar K. Lakshman. Arduous training, combined with the austere lifestyle typical of a gurukula, brought her to an accomplished level. She was soon considered to be one of the few non-Indians to have mastered the art of Bharata Natyam. She has performed, taught and given lecture demonstrations in all the major cities in the USA, Austria, England, France, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Scandinavia. She has performed several times at the Hindu Temple at Malibu California, in connection with major religious festivals. She performed twice at the prestigious Natyanjali Dance Festival held on Maha Shivarathri Day at the Natraj Temple in Chidambaram, South India. She was invited by the Dean of the Performing Arts Dept to give a two-hour solo performance at the Banares Hindu University which was well attended and praised. Sandhya isn't only recognized for her dedication to dance in India...she has also gotten notice in her homeland. She is the recipient of the 1995 Salute to Women of Achievement Award, bestowed on her by California's Commissioner for Women for her achievements in dance.
Sandhya's love for music is in no way less than her passion for dance. At an early age she started lessons in Veena and Vocal music. She was then so fortunate as to come under the tutelage of the great violinist Dr L Subramaniam who gave her a very solid foundation in the history and theory of classical Indian music. He also gave her an exposure to music forms from all over the world, for which she continues to have a keen interest.
In addition to dance and music, Sandhya also holds a degree in Early Childhood Education and has specialized in the methodology of the great Italian author and educator Dr. Maria Montessori.
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