Critics Say...

Amrapali Ambegaokar is recognized as one of the top Kathak dancers today as even the Los Angeles Times as heralded her: “by far one of the best Kathak Dancers around” and “a joyous monument to multiculturalism”. And the Orange County Register celebrates that” [Amrapali’s] rhythmic footwork is incomparable and her acting is nuanced and vibrant.”

UCLA & Cirque Du Soleil

Amrapali has earned her degree from UCLA in World Arts and Cultures and Dance where she trained and developed her dance in various styles such as Flamenco, Modern, and Hip Hop and fused these styles to perform as “Oceane- Goddess of Water” the Principal Dancer/Character with the world renowned Cirque du Soleil on “Dralion” for over 2 years in 750 performances on the North American Tour. She represented Cirque Du Soleil in Performance and Interview on The Tonight Show w/ Jay Leno, and The Today Show w/Katie Couric to name a few.

Kathak & The Anjani’s Kathak Dance of India Company

Amrapali has studied with her Guru Smt. Anjani Ambegaokar for the past 25 years and is now the Associate Artistic Director and Choreographer of Anjani’s Kathak Dance of India Company. She has been the Principal Dancer and a soloist of the company for the past 15 years and has performed at such prestigious venues including the Ravinia Festival, Chicago, The Hollywood Bowl, The Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, The World Music Institute, New York, several festivals in India and Canada and so much more.

Acting and Choreography in Film and Television – Hollywood & Bollywood

Amrapali is an actor and her various roles on film and television include Boston Legal, ER, Alias, Windfall and the upcoming Extra Ordinary Barry, and American Blend. In her first film she choreographed for Ram Gopal Varma’s Naach and in her second film entitled “American Blend” starring Anupam Kher and Dee Wallace, she choreographed 6 numbers, acted and sang vocals on the album and incidentally American Blend just released September 29th nationwide in all of India and will release in the US on March 16th “and yes, Choreography by Amrapali Ambegaokar is one of the high points [of American Blend]” as reviewed Rediff.

Sharing & Representing

While in Los Angeles, Amrapali also choreographs for film, teaches Kathak and “Bollywood” and fusion styles of dance and as a former multiple pageant title holder of Miss Asian America, Miss India USA, and Miss India North America she enjoys giving back as a pageant trainer in her spare time.