Amrapali Ambegaokar

Amrapali Ambegaokar left her position as Principal Dancer in Cirque Du Soleil in over 730 shows over 2 years so that she could pursue her secret childhood dream of acting with the purpose of expanding her artistic career from the stage to the challenge of Film and TV. With recurring roles on Grey's Anatomy in 18 episodes and Guest starring roles on Heroes and credits on Desperate Housewives, Alias, Boston Legal, ER and films Gone Hollywood, Naach by Ram Gopal Varma, Extra Ordinary Barry and American Blend (as an actor, choreographer, dancer, vocalist), Amrapali has definitely expanded herself as an artist as she continues to achieve her dreams.

Amrapali Ambegaokar is known as a young International Master of Kathak (North Indian Classical) Dance and is "by far one of the best Kathak Dancers around." (Victoria Looseleaf - Los Angeles Times) and "a joyous monument to multiculturalism." (Lewis Segal - Los Angeles Times). "The strongest technical skills and performance personalities ...with the always remarkable Kathak performer, Amrapali Ambegaokar" and "Amrapali's acting is subtle and nuanced"- Los Angeles Times. Amrapali performed as a guest on season 5 of Fox's So You Think You Can Dance and also won the coveted Solo Silver Medal in the International hit show NBC's Superstars of Dance produced by Mastermind Producer and Director Nigel Lithgoe (American Idol, and So You Think You Can Dance) with a solo appearance on NBC's Today Show.

Having won numerous awards and accolades since childhood, Amrapali was famously the Principal Dancer of Cirque Du Soleil's Dralion in over 730 shows in 14 US cities. With performances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno and several major television appearances, Amrapali has been the Principal dancer of Anjani Dance Theater with highlights including The Hollywood Bowl, Ravinia Festival Chicago, World Music Institute NY, United Nations D.C., National Geographic Society and hundreds more since age 13 and is the disciple of Master and NEA Lifetime Achievement awardee Anjani Ambegaokar since age 3.

With a BA Honors from UCLA's World Arts and Cultures/Dance department, Amrapali's special honors also include The Music Center SpotlightAward, Celebrity Queen Azalea of the 62nd Azalea Festival as well as the U.S. National judge for Sony TV's Boogie Woogie Dance competition, Celebrity judge for the Miss Asian America Pageant and more. Amrapali is a pageant title holder as Miss Asian America Talent, Miss Asian California, Miss India North America Princess, Miss India North America Talent, and Miss India USA Talent. Since her early teens, Amrapali has graced the covers of The Los Angeles Times, Dance Magazine, Show Magazine, Parade Magazine, 002 Magazine, Celebrity Magazine, India Currents Magazine and so many others.

Amrapali was also invited to perform as a soloist for Dance Moves II held by the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (The Emmys) Annual concert celebrating dance and choreography in film and TV. Amrapali also performed as a duet with Grammy award winning composer and Master Trumpeter Mark Isham in a Kathak/Jazz collaborative duet for the Celebrity Centre International's 40th Anniversary Gala ending off in a finale' with Legendaries Chakka Khan, Chick Corea, and Stanley Clarke.

Amrapali's choreography credits include live stage, pageants, film and television, music videos and commercials. Amrapali is recognized for her traditional work as well breaking boundaries by infusing Kathak with Flamenco, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Folk and modern styles. Amrapali feels blessed to be one of the leading artists today of Indo-American heritage flourishing in numerous artistic mediums Internationally and continues to serve as a true torchbearer of the arts.