Meet Shaira

Instructor

Shaira Bhan is a professional dancer, choreographer and teacher. She has been instructing and choreographing for the past 17 years. She has choreographed and performed in various Bollywood films such as Doom, Namaste London, Teen Patti, U, Me, Aur Hum and more. Shaira was the resident Dance Director and Choreographer for Bodylicious, a health and wellness show on NDTV Goodtimes India. She specializes in different dance styles such as Contemporary, Hip Hop, Bollywood, Ballet, Jazz, and Salsa. Shaira moved to the Bay Area in 2009 and founded Dance Identity to offer dance and fitness classes to all age groups in a professional, safe and fun environment. Shaira’s passion for dance and choreography and her love to nurture artists is what keeps her in class 7 days a week and her goal is to create a community of thinking, talented and versatile artists.

Shaira has choreographed for various Films, Music Videos, Ad Films, including:

  • Teen Patti (Serendipity Films), directed by Leena Yadav.
  • U, Me Aur Hum (Devgan Films), directed by Ajay Devgan
  • No Smoking (Kumar Mangat & Eros International),directed by Anurag Kashyap
  • Namastey London (Blockbuster Movie Entertainers), directed by Vipul Shah
  • Dhoom (YashRaj Films), directed by Sanjay Gadhvi
  • Dhoom Dhoom by Tata Young (international artist), director Arjun Sablok (Yashraj Films)
  • Socha Na Tha (Vijeyta Films), directed by Imtiaz Ali
  • Tata Indicom Motorazr ad film, starring Isha Sharvani
  • Agni Jewellery ad film, director Arjun Sablok (Yashraj Adfilms), starring Riya Sen
  • Women’s Sexuality, Documentary film, NGO Sakshi (India)

Choreographies for various special events:

  • Broken Images, play written by Girish Karnad, directed by Alyque Padamasee starring Shabana Azmi, Santa Clara CA, (2010)
  • Performer’s For Choice Awards, San Francisco, CA (2010)
  • EngenderHealth Benefit, Napa Valley, (2010)
  • Women’s History Month, San Franciso (2010)
  • Kamala Harris fundraiser, San Francisco & Menlo Park (2010)
  • Mika Singh Concert, CA (2010)
  • Miss India Northern California, (2009)
  • Pan IIT Diwali Dhamaka, CA (2009)
  • Natyotsav, Sankara Eye Foundation, California, USA (2008)
  • 1000 day countdown to Commonwealth Games 2010, performed at India Gate, New Delhi(2008)
  • Worldwide launch of Microsoft Windows Vista performed at the Taj Mahal, Agra (2007)
  • Hungry Heart Festival, Musicals 2007, performed at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi (2007)
  • International Film Festival of India opening ceremony in Goa (2006)
  • Kala Ghoda Arts Festival performed in Mumbai (2006)
  • Commonwealth Games XVIII Queen’s Baton Relay, performed at the National Stadium, New Delhi (2005)
  • R.D. Burman, musical concert with Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy in Goa (IFFI 2006)
  • CNBC Auto Car, New Delhi (2006)
  • Awaaz Consumer Awards, New Delhi (2006)
  • HBO show, New Delhi (2006)
  • Lamborghini launch, New Delhi (2006)
  • Motorolla Moto Krazer launch, New Delhi
  • Pearl Fashion Academy, New Delhi (2005)
  • Tata Novus, New Delhi (2005)
  • Toyota Innova launch, New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore (2005), Hyundai Tucson launch, New Delhi (2005)
  • Yamaha Auto Expo (2004)
  • Bentley launch (2004)
  • Toyota Corolla Anniversary (2003)

Shaira has been performing for over 13 years. Some of her performances include:

Performance in Movies, Music Videos, etc.:

  • U, Me Aur Hum (Devgan Films), director Ajay Devgan
  • No Smoking (Kumar Mangat & Eros International), director Anurag Kashyap
  • Dhoom(YashRaj Films), director Sanjay Gadhvi
  • Socha Na Tha (Vijeyta Films), director Imtiaz Ali
  • Music video Dhoom Dhoom by Tata Young (international artist), director Arjun Sablok (Yashraj Films)
  • Good Morning India show on Star Plus, daily morning slot (over 250 episodes)

Theatrical Shows:

  • About Nothing – conceived, written & directed by Ashely Lobo (2003)
  • That’s Dancing! – Choreographed by Ashley Lobo & senior members of The Danceworx Repertory (2001)
  • The Chorus Line – directed by Vivek Mansukhani and choreographed by Ashley Lobo

Special Performances:

  • Broken Images, play written by Girish Karnad, directed by Alyque Padamasee starring Shabana Azmi, Santa Clara CA, (2010)
  • Performer’s For Choice Awards, San Francisco, CA (2010)
  • EngenderHealth Benefit, Napa Valley, (2010)
  • Women’s History Month, San Franciso (2010)
  • Kamala Harris fundraiser, San Francisco & Menlo Park (2010)
  • Pan IIT Diwali Dhamaka, CA (2009)
  • Natyotsav, Sankara Eye Foundation, California, USA (2008)
  • 1000 day countdown to Commonwealth Games 2010, performed at India Gate, New Delhi(2008)
  • Worldwide launch of Microsoft Windows Vista performed at the Taj Mahal, Agra (2007)
  • Hungry Heart Festival, Musicals 2007, performed at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi (2007)
  • International Film Festival of India 2006 opening ceremony in Goa
  • Tribute to R.D. Burman, musical concert with Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy in Goa (IFFI 2006)
  • Kala Ghoda Arts festival, Mumbai (2006)
  • Commonwealth Games XVIII Queen’s Baton Relay at the National Stadium, New Delhi (2005)
  • Bhartiya Pravasi Milan, acultural evening organized by the Government of India, directed by Muzzaffar Ali, performed at Indira Gandhi Stadium, New Delhi (2004)
  • The Taj Mahal Hotel Centenary Celebration, a show organized by The Taj Group of Hotels to celebrate 100 years of The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai, performed at The Taj Mahal Hotel, Mumbai (2003)
  • United for Gujarat, a show organized in aid of the victims of the Gujarat earthquake featuring bands from India (Euphoria & Silk Route), Pakistan (Junoon) and Bangladesh (Miles), performed at Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi (2001)
  • Republic Day Parades for 2 consecutive years in New Delhi for the Ministry of Textiles (2000 & 2001)

Shaira has professionally trained under various renowned and accomplished teachers from all over the world in styles like Jazz, Contemporary, Ballet, Hip Hop, Salsa, Bollywood, Indian folk, Yoga etc. List of her teachers and styles:

  • Ashley Lobo (Australia/India): Jazz
  • Ronnie Shambik Ghosh (Hong Kong): Jazz/ Matt Mattox technique
  • Soraya Franco (Dominican Republic): Yoga Ballet/ Yoga Dance Therapy
  • Raymond Esterhuizen (Netherlands): Limón technique
  • Nik Hills (Australia): Contemporary
  • Jaan Freeman (USA): Horton Technique
  • HaviKoro Dance Group (U.S.A.): Tap/ Break Dance/ Hip-Hop
  • Mandeep Raikhy (India/ U.K.): Laban Contemporary
  • Caesar Augusto Moniz (Portugal): Contemporary/ Classical Ballet
  • Susan Buirge (France): Composition of Dance
  • Mahesh Mehboobani (India): Contemporary Dance
  • Ivan Pulinkala (U.S.A.): Contemporary/ Classical Ballet
  • Santosh Nair (India)
  • Compagnie Mulleras (France): Jazz/Contemporary
  • Franziska Rosenweig (U.K.): Gyrotonics/Classical Ballet(India)
  • Isabella Andrea (U.K.): Martha Graham techniqe(India)
  • Dilip Shankar (India): Theatre Workshops
  • Anastacia Flewin (Australia): Classical ballet/Neo Classical
  • Fernando Aguilera (Argentina): Classical Ballet
  • Tanushree Shankar (India): Fold/Contemporary Dance(India)