Sunderland school celebrates 20 years of dancing

Two decades ago, the Shameem Karim School of Performing Arts, or SK Dance as it’s better known, opened its doors at Grindon Community Centre.

A well-established IDTA registered dance school, it is now celebrating its 20 year anniversary with a showcase performance at the Sunderland Empire Theatre on Tuesday, November 22.

The show will star more than 100 pupils, aged from two to 18, and will feature popular musicals, tap routines, commercial dance and ballet.

Trained at the Muriel Harrison School of Dance, Shameem herself has danced since she was five-years-old and has regularly appeared on the Empire stage.

Shameem, whose dream was always to open her own dance school, said “ When I first opened I had a small group of regulars. It’s fantastic now to see how much my school has grown, to see so many children enjoying the magic that dancing, singing and performing can bring to people’s lives.

“I have pupils who dance as a hobby, but also pupils who want this as a career and have gone on to perform in big West End shows and tours as well as pupils who have graduated as dance teachers themselves and pupils who are training at professional big name colleges in London.

“I’m so proud that it’s now a family business with my eldest daughter Sophina working full time with me, as well as being dance captain and performing on this year’s Empire pantomime Snow White with some of our younger pupils.

“Together with my good friend Audrey Herriott we have created another outstanding show and our audience will not be disappointed. Sunderland has so much local talent to celebrate and our pupils have been working hard all year rehearsing for the show.”

•The SK Dance show takes place at the Sunderland Empire on Tuesday, November 22 at 7pm. Tickets are £15 from the Sunderland Empire or for further information on the show or joining SK Dance contact Shameem on 07530590992