Mission
With collaboration at the center, Ishti Collective’s purpose is to create a synergistic environment through dance, music, and storytelling where artists engage with the community to generate meaningful dialogue and push the boundaries of their art.
People
Tuli Bera
Board Director
Tuli Bera (she/they) is a Chicago-based performer, choreographer, producer, and dance educator. Their artistic voice is an emulsion of their technical prowess and honest expression of identity. Since moving to Chicago in 2016, they have committed to creating public experiences that foster authentic self-exploration. Bera is informed by various styles of dance which has led them to feel most comfortable as an improviser. They lead with curiosity and lean into transforming as they navigate through, collaborate, and create within the Chicago arts landscape. To learn more about Tuli, visit: www.tuli.space.
Chitra Nair
Collective Member / Board Director - Secretary
Chitra Nair (she/her) finds rhythm in tradition and innovation. Originally from India, where she trained in Bharatanatyam under Guru Jayashakar Menon, she has performed widely as both a soloist and ensemble artist. Beyond performance, Chitra is dedicated to cultivating the next generation of dancers, having founded Nyssa Dance Academy. Since joining Ishti Collective in 2020, she has played a key role in strengthening the company’s operations and expanding its community outreach. She continues to bring her passion for storytelling and tradition to audiences across Chicagoland.
Lauren Reed
Collective Member
Lauren Reed (she/her) is an enthusiastic educator who values imagination, presence, and play; she believes that dance is a thrilling way for children and adults alike to become more fully human. Lauren has a passion for exploring social dance communities and is an avid Lindy Hopper. Lauren is a professional grant writer and arts administrator, and has been running a youth development program called Teen Leaders Club since 2013. Lauren has danced professionally with Project606 Dance, Aerial Dance Chicago, Ensemble180, and is also currently dancing with Still Inspired.
Preeti Veerlapati
Collective Member / Board Director - Treasurer
Preeti Veerlapati (she/her) is a facilitator, producer, mother, and mover. She makes dance works to process what is happening somatically and emotionally when her mind fails to make sense of it. She is inspired by conversations, research, breathwork and gardening. Core to her identity, she is a facilitator - interested in learning what people are bringing to the table, centering their human experience as part of the work whether in a dance studio or an office. Preeti has 20+ years of experience working in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She is also the Founder and CEO of Rishi Strategy Consultants LLC.
Kinnari Vora
Collective Member / Board Director - President
Kinnari Vora is a performance artist, choreographer, and educator, exploring universal human conditions through movement, meditation, and theatrical practices. Her works, center on collaboration and draw on ancestral wisdom, communal healing rituals, and interconnectedness. As a physical therapist, yoga practitioner; Kinnari integrates healing practices into her artistic work and conversely is involved with healing arts programs at hospitals. She is a core collaborator with Surabhi Ensemble and curator at Temple Gallery (with Bob Garrett).