SHOAIB ALI

Shai (Shoaib Ali) is a Bradford-based movement artist, dancer, choreographer, and creative facilitator whose work explores the intersection of urban, Bollywood, and contemporary movement with influences from South Asian classical dance.

A graduate of Goldsmiths, University of London (BA Hons Diverse Dance Styles), Shai began his dance journey at the age of 17 through commercial hip-hop before expanding his training across London’s professional dance scene. His practice draws on a range of global and diasporic influences, developing a hybrid movement language that blends commercial and urban styles with classical South Asian traditions.A key foundation of his practice is Kathak, which he studied for several years under Guru Ashwini Kaleksar at Kirti Kala Mandir UK, focusing on rhythmic precision, musicality, and expressive storytelling.

This training continues to inform his approach to movement, choreography, and performance.As a performer, Shai’s recent credits include the Bradford City of Culture 2025 closing ceremony Brighter Still, the FRESH Youth Festival at the Alhambra Theatre, and Manchester Mela 2025. He is also part of the collective Marigold, performing as one half of the Bollywood dance duet Rang De, which has appeared at festivals, cultural events, weddings, and community celebrations.

Alongside his performance practice, Shai is the founder of The Vibes Lab, an emerging intergenerational movement initiative that connects dance, wellbeing, and cultural storytelling through workshops, community projects, and collaborative performance. Through this work, he explores how traditional and contemporary movement practices can coexist to create a global, diasporic dance language.