Sumi Rao is a Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer from Virginia. She started Kuchipudi at the age of 4 at Kalamandapam, VA, under the guidance of Guru Smt. Mrinalini Sadananda. Her passion and interest in learning the artform allowed her to complete her rangapravesham at the age of 13. She has had the privilege of learning under many well known gurus including Guru Balakka, Guru Sathyapriya, Guru Aditya, Guru Bhagavatula Sarma and Guru Kavitha Cheedalla of Kalamandapam. She has won local and national competitions for Kuchipudi, and is the current national 1st place winner at Silicon Andhra Association Fall 2019. Sumi has performed extensively and has close to a 100 solo performances thus far.
Sumi also learns Bharatanatyam from her Guru Smt. Shanthi Ashok, Fairfax, VA since the age of 7. She has been part of Nrityanjali’s dance company since she was 10 years old and performs in all productions and shows. Sumi has also learned from visiting Guru Srikanth N and has honed her craft with their guidance. Her arangetram was scheduled to happen this August, but is now postponed due to the pandemic. She has been invited to perform at YADA’s inzoom series that gave her the visibility to a wider global audience.
Sumi has also learnt ballet/tap and jazz at Encore Performers, Virginia since she was 6 years and believes that each dance style has helped her evolve as a rounded dancer. She is eternally grateful to all the various teachers who have contributed to her growth and will always be indebted for their grace and willingness to nurture her.

She is a rising junior at Chantilly High. During this pandemic, she has been helping make masks with the local million mask challenge group to provide support for the frontline medical staff in addition to working on dance projects. Apart from dance, she also loves to sketch and spend time with her friends when she can manage the time.