Apsaras Arts Dance Group, Richmond, VA was started in 2000 by Mrs. Uma Chetty who is the director and choreographer of this School. There are now 3 other teachers as well, Mrs. Meena Veerappan, Mrs. Priti Patil, and Mrs. Lakshmi Vadiiv. The Apsaras Arts Dance Group has grown and 9 students have completed their Arangetrams in the past few years. The main objective of Apsaras Arts Dance Group, Richmond VA is to create an awareness of Bharatha Natyam in the United States, while maintaining the highest and best standards for teaching and performing. Students have performed in various Hindu Center and Children’s Hospital Fundraisers, Indian Teachers in Apsaras cultural events, Girl Scout events, Tsunami Fundraiser, Imagine Festival, Asian Festivals etc.
The school has also given multiple dance demonstrations for various organizations and schools including Virginia Commonwealth University, University of Richmond, Jessica Morgan School of Dance, Girl Scout Troops, United Methodist Family Services and Chesterfield Specialty Center for the Arts - Thomas Dale Highschool.
While visiting Singapore in summer 2009, Uma was invited, along with several long time Bharathanatyam dancers, to take part in a dance program organized by their Guru and the founder of Apsaras Arts Singapore, Viswakala Bharathi Smt Neila Sathyalingam. At the end of the program, her Guru bestowed the title of 'Bharatha Kalai Mani' on Uma Chetty for her achievements in propagating Bharatha Natyam in the United States for the past 10 years. This was given to acknowledge her contributions in propagating Bharatha Natyam and the values of Apsaras Arts in the United States for the past 10 years.