Shylaja Ramprasath
Director & Senior Dance Instructor
Our Guru “Abhinaya Kala Jyothi” Shrimathi Shylaja Ramprasath is an international certified dance instructor and being a member of CID/UNESCO, we are proud to offer the International Certification of Dance Studies to the dancer today for completion of an intermediate level in Bharathanatyam. Guru Shylaja began her journey into dance at the age of three under the tutelage of “Natarasankottai” Shri MA Krishnan. Her particular expertise is in the realm of abhinaya, with her clarity of expression and precise command of the idiom earning her the title “Abhinaya Kala Jyothi”. After her Arangetram in 1995, Shylaja sought a first class diploma in Bharathanatyam from the University of Madras, India and became a full-fledged Dance expert under the guidance of Shri Chitoor P. Shanmugham in 2004. She has achieved the ‘Best Dancer” award for five consecutive years in Inter Collegiate Competitions. Her high quality of art is recognized by Doordarshan, the national broadcasting network of India, and she has performed two major master pieces on air.
Upon several years of contribution in Winnipeg, she has guided in completion of four “Aradhana” sets of students, featured as “Gargi” in the dance show “The Game” (2012) as well as showcased her choreographic skill set for the dance piece “Krishna Tandav” in the dance show “20/20 Manohar Show”.
As a founding Director, owner and senior dance instructor in BRT Academy of Dance & Music, her students won Gold and Special Judges Choice Awards at several Provincial Dance Competitions. We are proud to say that our school has earned Business Excellence Award and Fans Choice Award for Dance Instruction at National level. So far, with 20 yrs of teaching experience, she has accomplished having more than 20 dancers who have completed “Salangai Pooja” and two “Arangetram”. She has also earned “Business Excellence Award” in 2015. As a director of BRT Academy, she has produced and successfully showcased dance drama : Krishna Leela (2015), Sadhana (2017) and SitaRam (2023).
The international dance council, which is in short called CID, is an official partner of UNESCO, and is an umbrella organization for all forms of dance in the world and validates teaching internationally by offering the International Dance Certification of Dance Studies. So far, we have more than 12 students who are qualified and certified in dance internationally.
Sachini Mapa
Assistant Dance Instructor
“Nritya Choodamaani” Sachini Mapa is an international certified dancer and a member of CID/UNESCO. She began her career at the age of 6, initially learning Kathak dance in Calgary before she discovered the art of Bharatanatayam dancing. She began learning Bharatanatayam from her guru at the time, Shilpa John in Calgary where she participated in shows such as Swarga Night 2008 before she moved to Winnipeg in 2012. Once in Winnipeg, she continued her journey at India School of Dance where she stayed for 2 years before she moved to BRT Academy of dance in 2014 and learned under guru “Abhinaya Kala Jyothi” Shylaja Ramprasath. Since she has been a student of BRT, she has been able to participate in BRT productions such as Krishna Leela playing a titular role Arjuna, as well as the production Sadhana, and has performed at events such as Folklarama. She has also achieved platinum, gold and high gold awards from competitions such as Thunderstruck, CNDC and more.
Having done her Arangetram in September 2023, Sachini has since began her career as a dance teacher with BRT Academy. Going forward she plans to build her career as a dance teacher, continue to take part in BRT productions, competitions and more as she learns and continues to expand her passions and help her fellow dancers achieve their goals and dreams!
Manusri Vanu Ramprasath
Junior Dance Instructor
Manusri Vanu Ramprasath is an International Certified Dancer, a teacher and a member of CID/UNESCO. Manusri began learning her passion, Bharathanatyam at the age of 4 years under the guidance of her guru, “Abinaya Kala Jyothi” Shylaja Vanu Ramprasath. She is known for Anga Shudham, a perfect Aramandi, quick learning, and having the talent in exhibiting combinations of both sharp and fluid movements. Her continuation in dance led to her first performance at Folklarama when she was at the age of six. More opportunities lit up allowing her to perform at Sadhana, a show produced by BRT Academy in 2017. Since then, she has been passionately continuing to show case her performing skills in various events including Folklarama, Diwali mela etc.
Manusri successfully completed Salangai Pooja (Intermediate Level Completion) in 2022. Being an advanced level student, she has been actively participating in various dance competitions (solo and group items) and won several awards such as Diamond, High Platinum and Special Judges Choice. In her first dance competition, she won First Place at Move, 2023. One of the most significant achievements is winning Manitoba’s Novice Overalls (Provincial) at Candance competition. As a result, she got selected in performing at Nationals in Ottawa, earning a High Platinum Award. In October 2023, Manusri participated in BRT’s 3rd production, SitaRam playing the role as “Young Sita”. Later, her role as a “Squirrel” in the Manohar Performing Arts Show The Exile was peculiarly adored by the audience and dance artists in the field. Besides the awards and dance pieces, she has been teaching Bharatanatyam to the beginner level students at the BRT Academy since September 2021. Students under her guidance enjoy learning from her. Manusri’s intention is to continue her passion to learn, teach, and become a renowned dance artist.