Today we’d like to introduce you to Kala Neupane.
Hi Kala, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Learning to understand the world around me, before I understood myself, was one of my earliest lessons. At seven, my family moved from Nepal to the USA. I didn’t yet have the language to describe displacement, but I felt it deeply. A new country brought a new language, unfamiliar customs, and the quiet confusion of figuring out where I belonged. I often felt caught between who I was becoming and where I came from. In that uncertainty, dance became my anchor. It was a private, sacred space where words were unnecessary, a place where my body remembered home when my surroundings felt foreign. Although academics were always emphasized in my household, I continued dancing quietly, occasionally within my community, holding onto it as my refuge.
The transition into modeling grew naturally from my foundation in dance. While performing at a cultural event, I was discovered by fashion photographer Rajiv Shrestha, who later became my mentor. He taught me the importance of treating modeling not as spectacle, but as an art form. He helped me respect the craft, understand presence, and approach every opportunity with humility. After a decade in Northern Virginia, I relocated to Dallas, a move that marked a turning point and offered space for creative growth and deeper commitment to my artistic path.
That growth became visible on a national stage when I represented Dallas, Texas at Miss Nepal USA 2021, earning First Runner Up and Miss Talent. The experience challenged me to show up fully as myself and reaffirmed that authenticity is powerful, onstage and beyond it.
During Miss Nepal USA, my platform focused on bridging the digital divide in Nepal through digital literacy. As the first brand ambassador for the Equality Foundation, I volunteered in rural schools, teaching students about cybersecurity and online safety. Serving my community is a value deeply instilled by my family. Since my teenage years, I’ve been actively involved in community work, from teaching dance and raising funds for charities to environmental clean-ups and vaccine drives. In Dallas, I continue this work through Shruti School of Performing Arts’ summer camp, fostering creativity, confidence, and engagement in young students. Giving back is integral to how I live, create, and connect with others.
As my creative work expanded in Dallas, I stepped into roles beyond performance. I served as fashion show creative director and trainer for the 2022 national convention hosted by ANA 1983, Association of Nepalis in the Americas. This role pushed me into leadership, requiring vision, collaboration, and the management of large-scale productions. It expanded my understanding of storytelling from behind the scenes and opened doors to runway modeling and event hosting, spaces where I continue to grow as a multifaceted performer.
Parallel to this work, I train in Kathak at Shruti’s School of Performing Arts. Kathak translates to storyteller, and this classical dance form is rooted in narrative, rhythm, and precision. Returning to formal training has deepened my relationship with the art, allowing me to approach movement with renewed discipline. Shruti’s mentorship has guided me in refining technique, expression, and purpose. Through continued practice, I am learning to move with clarity, emotion, and meaning. These skills resonate through every aspect of my creative and professional life.
The early lessons in understanding myself and the world around me remain at the heart of everything I do. The world will always change, and grounding myself in who I am is the only way to navigate it.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Absolutely, it has been challenging. Pursuing creative work while juggling school, family responsibilities, and financial obligations is not easy and it’s definitely not for the faint of heart. In the early years, artists rarely make money, and long hours were part of the process. The road can be lonely, and there isn’t always time for friends or social life. None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family, whose encouragement and belief made it possible to keep moving forward and stay committed to my passions.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am an artist who works at the intersection of culture, dance, and modeling. I specialize in expressing stories through movement and performance and I’m known for my work in both dance and the fashion space. What I’m most proud of is following my dreams while also giving back. My community work is deeply important to me and I approach it with intention and care. What sets me apart is the way I show up with authenticity. My artistic endeavors are rooted in self-expression and honoring my culture, while my community work comes from a genuine desire to make a difference in the world.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I am happiest when I am learning, performing, or helping others. Dance and artistic expression make me feel fully myself. They allow me to connect with my own emotions, explore the depth of who I am, and express in ways words cannot. In those moments, I feel grounded, centered, and most alive, as if I am exactly where I am meant to be. At the same time, helping others through community work brings a different kind of fulfillment. Mentoring students, volunteering, or supporting meaningful causes allows me to see the impact of guidance and encouragement firsthand. It reminds me that joy is not only about personal expression, but also about lifting others, fostering growth, and contributing to something larger than myself.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kalaneupane?igsh=MTRtNW00aTE5ZHl2YQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: https://shrutissopa.com/
Image Credits
1 Yellow and White: Rony Anthony
2 Pink and white dancing: Luxkalaphotography
3 Shruti and Kala : Shruti School of Performing Arts
4 Nepali Cultural dress : Rajiv Shrestha
5. Red dress :Jayden Sun
