Ranjani Vedanthan
Run-jinny Vay-don-thun
Ranjani Vedanthan, born and raised in Colorado, USA with parents originating from south India, never could decide the answer to: "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Over a youthful journey spanning 50 years and counting, she has decided to do everything she desires. After decades of extensive travels and adventures, Ranjani now spends her time with her supportive and loving significant other, Andy, and their two lovely and very different dogs: An adult Jack-Russell Terrier Chihuahua and a young English Hound. Ranjani keeps herself busy as an accountant and portfolio manager, and as a teacher of K-12 learners via various digital platforms. Since her happy place is dancing, Ranjani ensures she continues her passion for dance by regularly learning, creating, and performing dance items which she presents through workshops and shows throughout the state of Colorado.
Ranjani's Academic Education & Teaching Experience
After graduating in the top 10% of her class from Poudre High School, Ranjani attended Bryn Mawr College where she spent an extra semester completing multiple degrees because she enjoyed studying different subjects. She graduated with Honors and attained her BA in History, with minors in Mathematics and Computer Science. After touring as a dance performer for a semester, Ranjani was accepted as a FLAS Fellow to complete an MA in South Asian Studies at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. Ranjani concurrently earned a Graduate Certificate in Women's Studies, and spent one year in India studying Hindi through the American Institute of Indian Studies' Graduate Language Fellowship program.
With multiple degrees in tow, Ranjani entered the classroom in 2002 as a 9th-grade multiple-subjects teacher at a public charter school in Oakland, California. Inspired to continue onwards as a teacher, Ranjani won a scholarship to help her attain a teaching credential at San Francisco State University for instructing multiple subjects in grades K-12.
Yearning for more excitement, Ranjani moved to Manhattan and for 8 years, she taught middle-school Math at a large public school that catered to a vastly diverse population of students ranging from those who were affluent, to the underprivileged, to those who had just arrived to the USA from overseas and spoke little-to-no English. To prove her effectiveness, Ranjani spent countless unpaid hours collaborating with colleagues and working to ensure she met the diverse needs of each one of her students and their parents. Her efforts culminated in students from all classes raising their test scores every year, with multiple students earning perfect scores on the math exams administered by the State of New York.
A terrifying near-fatal car accident in the beginning of 2010 left Ranjani with a severe case of whiplash and leg injuries. Unable to fully recover in the walking-city of Manhattan, Ranjani became weary of the pain and decided to leave the Big Apple. Under the illusion of moving beyond classroom teaching, she returned home to Fort Collins in 2013 and focused on beginning her dance classes while working in the field of accounting. Eventually, Ranjani graduated with Honors from CSU Global in 2022 with a BS degree in Accounting.
By the fall of 2023, Ranjani's itch for teaching reappeared, which prompted her to explore instruction through digital platforms. She now is excited to offer her expertise and talents in the fields of education, accounting, tax preparation, and performative dance!
Ranjani's Dance Education & Experience
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| Photo Credit: J. Mark Lewis |
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| Photo Credit: Herrington |
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| Photo Credit: Woody Harris |
Ranjani's love for dance began at the young age of 4 during her after-school tap dance and ballet lessons at Mountain Kids in Fort Collins, CO. Beginning in 1986, Ranjani studied Bharatanatyam (Vazhuvoor style) under Guru Smt. Padmini Ravi of Bangalore, India, and also studied Carnatic Sangeet (classical south-Indian vocal music). In 1995, she completed her arangetrams both in Bangalore and in Denver. Ranjani has also dedicated years towards studying ballet, bellydance, and Kathak (north-Indian classical style). In 2003, she received her ghungroos, a significant milestone symbolizing her commitment to dance studies, while studying under the tutelage of the late and renowned Guru Sri Chitresh Das. Vedanthan’s choreography has been featured in productions ranging from ballet to Native-American to spoken-word productions, and she has performed throughout America, Malaysia, Singapore, and Australia.
Most recently, Ranjani feels honored to present as a guest performer and presenter at the Grand Valley Yoga Festival in Grand Junction from May 31 to June 2, 2024.
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