Hometown: Westford, Mass.

Birthplace: Madras, southern India

2005 American Folk Festival (Aug. 26-28): Classic Indian dance

What brought you to the United States? I was visiting this country and met a man who I ended up marrying. I moved to the United States to be with him.

Do you go back? I visit India every year. I still have my family home there. I also have one sister, who lives in Dayton Ohio, and I talk to her all the time.

Where does your folk tradition spring from? In India there are folk and classical dances. The one I will be performing is classical.

What’s the difference? Folk dances are completely different because they are much more casual – anyone can do it. But classical dance is done by people who are trained in it. It requires 10 to 15 years of intense training. Like becoming a classical pianist, it requires a lot of discipline and hard work.

Who taught you how to dance? I had a teacher that used to come to my house while I was in India. I started learning when I was 5 years old. My mom was very passionate about dancing and she introduced me to the art form.

Do you cook Indian food? I make rice and bread called chapati, which is made of wheat flour and is similar to tortillas. I also cook lentils.

What costumes do you wear when performing? Some are made of silk with gold beading. They all are made with very bright colors. I get them made when I’m in India.

How do you stay in shape? I do Pilates and yoga and I dance regularly. I like hiking and I go to the gym.

How many hours a day do you dance? Two. Plus, I teach dance at a school called Nrityanjali, which means “offering of dance.”

What do you try to convey to the audience? We tell stories through dance with facial expressions, hand gestures and body movements.

– Kailee Bradstreet