Ridy Sheikh has been a dance coach and educator since she was 15, beginning as an assistant coach at her school in Moscow, where she taught younger students. By 16, she had the opportunity to choreograph a show at the largest concert hall in Moscow, The Kremlin. She also formed her own dance group, Shapla, which performed successfully at various events and TV shows in Moscow.
Throughout her career, Ridy has been invited to tour in Ukraine, Belarus, Finland, the UK, Sweden, and France. A remarkable part of her journey has been working with beginners, helping them transform into confident performers who went on to win competitions and later became part of her team.
Driven by a desire to emulate Moscow’s vibrant dance scene – where students can choose from various dance forms and take different classes without committing to a specific style – she founded Ridy Sheikh Starbase Dance Studio in Dhaka in 2023. Located at the Mirpur DOHS Cultural Center, the studio welcomes both beginners and experienced dancers. It is a space for people to learn different dance forms and grow creatively.
Ridy Sheikh Starbase Dance Studio faces cultural hurdles in a country where dance is often viewed as a mere hobby. To change this perception, Ridy actively promotes the mental, emotional, and physical benefits of dance. She also engages with parents to demonstrate how dance helps with confidence, discipline, and creativity in their children. The studio’s partnership with Starbase Lifestyle Lounge and Gym has been crucial in developing a well-rounded infrastructure, providing students with access to a range of services that support both wellness and artistic expression. “There is a lack of access to quality dance instruction in Bangladesh. Many talented dancers rely on social media to learn routines without mastering foundational techniques. Barriers such as parental resistance to extracurricular activities and socioeconomic factors complicate this issue. To address this, we emphasise the importance of dedicated training. We aim to demonstrate that dance is a vital extracurricular activity with numerous benefits for mental and physical well-being, and we offer quality courses at affordable prices,” adds Ridy. “We also plan to introduce online classes to adapt to the shift in dance education and make our services accessible to everyone, regardless of location.”
The studio offers a diverse selection of classes for various skill levels and interests. Its offerings include kids’ dance classes divided into two age groups: a junior batch for ages 4 to 8 and a senior batch for ages 8 to 14. It also offers salsa classes, cross-disciplinary classes in Zumba, yoga, and aerobics, a traditional dance course that combines classical foundations with fusion elements, and a wedding dance course to prepare students for lively celebrations. Ridy leads specialised choreography classes that allow students to explore diverse routines across numerous styles. Currently, she and her team are developing courses in K-pop dance and Waacking, and are thrilled to introduce a unique course for ‘dancefluencers’ – content creators focused on dance. Additionally, the studio has organised various workshops, including a noteworthy collaboration with a ballet dancer from Russia and outdoor sessions at different fitness events in Dhaka.
The studio provides numerous opportunities for its students to showcase their skills and growth. Students are invited to participate in music videos, stage performances, festivals, and tours to different cities and countries. The studio’s Kids Dance Group has performed at various children’s festivals. It also recognises the importance of creating content from the dances learned in class, empowering students to track their progress in this digital age. Every student can document their achievements on video, which the studio shares on YouTube and other social media platforms. This not only preserves their memories but also allows them to share their performances with a wider audience.
Ridy aspires to transform the studio into a training centre and eventually an academy that promotes both traditional South Asian dance forms and modern global styles. She also wants it to be a space where students can explore other forms of creative expression beyond dance, such as music, painting, and fashion – a comprehensive educational experience in the arts. “Leaving a legacy as a dancer and choreographer is deeply important to me, and I see this studio as a key part of that legacy. In the coming years, I aim to expand its reach through international collaborations, launch new programmes, and provide more opportunities for my students to perform globally. I also hope to take our dance productions beyond Dhaka, touring different cities and countries. Ultimately, I want to create an inclusive space where art and creativity can flourish, and where both children and adults feel empowered to express themselves,” she concludes.