About | Redmond, WA | Mohini Dance School

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18001 NE 76th ST St# 100, Redmond, WA 98052

Our mission

The mission of Mohini Dance School is to create original, high-quality stage productions that bring to life inspiring and socially relevant themes using Indian Classical Dance and Theater. Through our work, we foster the cultural exploration of Indian Classical Arts while promoting emerging artists in India and the US, providing them with a platform to reach diverse audiences and supporting their financial needs.
Core Values

We present exploratory and challenging stories while maintaining the integrity of Indian Classical Art forms.
We demonstrate that art has no boundaries by elegantly blending multiple dance styles, languages and explore stories from across the globe.
We make every effort to include disadvantaged communities such as the differently-abled and elderly by partnering with community-based organizations that support these groups.
We give back to the arts community by building meaningful relationships with similar organizations across the globe to provide a platform and financial support for emerging artists.

Meet the Team

Smitha Krishnan, Founder and Director

a group of people are dancing on a stage in front of a sign that says soorya .

Smitha Krishnan started her training in Indian classical dance at the age of 4, but wasn’t introduced to Mohiniyattam till the age of 10 under the tutelage of Guru Kala Vijayan, daughter of Guru Kalyanikuttiyamma, also known as the “Mother of Mohiniyattam”. Smitha trained for over 12 years in Mohiniyattam in India in the strict traditionalist style of Mohiniyattam as structured by Guru Kalyanikuttiyama. This style is most known for its structural and technical integrity, and Smitha continues to teach this style to her students.

Smitha delivered several solo performances at venues in Kerala and Chennai. She also became a graded artist for India’s Television Network (Doordarshan). After migrating to the US, Smitha continued to perform at venues in: – Columbus, OH – Milwaukee, WI – Chicago, IL – Kansas City, KS – Dallas, TX – Portland, OR and – Seattle, WA. In the US, Smitha continued to train under Smt. Smitha Rajan, granddaughter of Guru Kalyanikuttiyamma.

In 2013, Smitha was introduced to Smt. Suchithra Visweswaran, an acclaimed performer in Kerala, India, most known for her rendition of the holy Sanskrit scripture Narayaneeyam in Mohiniyattam. This was a turning point in Smitha’s career as a professional dancer and teacher. Smitha renewed her training under Smt. Suchithra, and worked on several innovative pieces in Mohiniyattam with her Guru, which she imparted to her students. Smitha thanks her Guru and mentor, Smt. Suchithra, for giving her the confidence to explore and innovate within the realm of Indian Classical Dance.

Mohini Dance School Teachers

Mohini Dance School has 2 teachers - Smitha Krishna and Manju Jyothish. Manju helps Smitha with training the dancers on a regular basis as well as for major productions like Ghanashyam, Nirvana and the school’s upcoming production, Woman with No Wings. The School’s goal is to maintain a good student to teacher ratio in order to provide students with individualized attention and focused training in a group setting. Mohini students get a good exposure to the art form and plenty of opportunities to perform at small events as well as the mega productions that Mohini Dance School comes up with.

Smitha Krishnan
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Manju Jyothish
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Our mission

Core Values

Meet the Team

Smitha Krishnan, Founder and Director

Mohini Dance School Teachers

Smitha Krishnan

Manju Jyothish