One woman's mission to display UAE's world-class talent on the dance floor

If you have ever taken a dance class, you will know about the amount of work that goes into perfecting a single routine.

So imagine the effort it takes to organise a two-hour dance show with participants consisting mostly of dancers who also have full-time jobs or study.

Welcome to the world of Sharmila Kamte.

The Dubai-based choreographer, instructor, and director – who has been teaching street jazz, hip-hop, ballet, lyrical contemporary and jazz in the emirate for 10 years – is back with a new show as part of Kamte's Sharmila's Dance Extravaganza series.

Since 2000, the annual dance show has grown tremendously and has become an event that demonstrates the performance skills of all students willing to participate, regardless of their age or level of expertise.

Taking place this Friday and Saturday, the show is set to feature 190 amateur and professional students from Sharmilas Dance Academy, who will showcase their talents in front of a live audience of more than 2,000 people. Emirates Business spoke to Kamte ahead of the event.

What can we expect from the latest edition of Sharmila's Dance Extravaganza?

The show encompasses 24 dances giving the performers the chance to utilise their many dance styles – learnt throughout the year – to the latest music releases. Due the number of dancers and different acts in the show, I start brainstorming and coming up with ideas around October, and then rehearsals begin in January, demonstrating a huge commitment from everyone to put together yet another amazing show. Rehearsals then continue every Friday until the show.

And your dancers are all very different, aren't they?

There are about 190 dancers, the youngest being seven years old. Some of the dancers have trained with me for just a few months before signing on for the show and others have been with me years or are in my professional company. This year I have invited a couple who will be performing a couple of contemporary pieces as well a silk artist to do some ariel work.

How did you start out your career?

I was born in India, and left when I was 15 to follow my dream of becoming a professional dancer in the UK where I studied all types of dances, teacher training, drama and singing before turning professional. I have had the pleasure of working all over the world performing and choreographing for companies and music stars.

Here, I have my own small dance company that holds events in the region. I absolutely love what I do and feel thankful that my job doesn't feel like a job.

When you first started in the UAE, was dance a difficult concept to introduce?

I don't think it was difficult. It was more about educating people in dance as an art form; that dance can be performed in a respectable fashion and that it is like a sport, which requires many hours of practice and dedication to excel in it.

Do you think individuals are becoming more open to trying out new styles due to the popularity of shows such as Do You Think You Can Dance? in the region?

I think this region has been witnessing a lot of creativity for years. I remember working with some incredible artists that were brought in for projects such as the Dubai Shopping Festival opening ceremonies, product launches, air shows and concerts.

What's wonderful is that due to the region being quite small we get to see a lot of these events, which perhaps we would not be able to living elsewhere in the world.

What are you favourite dance styles?

I don't have a favourite – I just love to dance. I love hip-hop, lyrical contemporary, classical ballet and jazz, and enjoy watching Latino and African.

Are there any styles you wish you were better at?

As a professional dancer, you always want to be better, but I would loved to have learnt acrobatics and break dance to throw into my routines. I'm too old now.

What are you hoping to achieve with these shows?

I started this show as a small event allowing parents to see how their children are progressing in the classes they attend with me, but as the number of students grew so did the show. I expect the participants to get a lot of experience from the show.

For those who are not professional, it's a fantastic education to be able to work along side professionals and learn how hard it is to put on a professional production and to learn to respect the theatre they work in.

I would also like to introduce everyone to locally-trained talent.

We are always so eager to use dancers from outside the country when we actually have a lot of world-class talent right here in the UAE.

If you could dance with any artist who would it be?

I would have loved to have worked with Michael Jackson.

Even though his dancers were primarily male, he was a big influence on me wanting to dance as a child. Currently, I would have to say Beyoncé. Her shows have a lot of dance in them, mixed with hip-hop and technique.

What is your next plan?

After the show finishes, we start working on our summer workshop, which begins at the end of June. I bring an international teacher and many of the local teachers to conduct an amazing workshop for dancers of different levels.

- Sharmila's Dance Extravaganza. Friday, April 23 and Saturday, April 24 at Dubai Community Theatre and Arts Centre, Dubai. Tickets cost Dh100

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