SHAHRZAD DANCE ACADEMY

Shahrzad Dance Academy (SDA) is a non-profit organization that was formed in 1996 by Shahrzad "Shazzy" Khorsandi.

SDA provides formal training in Persian dance to students ages 4 and up. These students learn Persian dance technique, as well as performance training, and perform in various festivals in addition to annual company recitals. The academy has not only created original Persian dance nomenclature to use for teaching, but using ensemble dancers in lecture demonstrations, the company reaches out to Bay Area schools and libraries to familiarize the audiences with Persian dance and music.

In addition, SDA has a teacher-training program, with the goal of providing the community with more Persian dance classes in the future. To compliment the dance curriculum, SDA has produced 2 instructional Persian dance videos, and several performance videos. These videos have received awards, such as the Giza Academy Award, and Gamal Academy Award, and have been given 3 stars by the Video Librarian magazine, and are being sold to many libraries in the U.S. and Canada, in addition to students and others who live too far to attend classes.

It is important to the academy to perform and teach Persian dance for three reasons: 

1. To help establish the identity of Iranian/Americans in the community, and connect Iranian/American children with their roots, through learning the dance and understanding the music of Persia.

2. To introduce and promote Persian dance, music, and culture in the American community with the hope that in a non-political setting, the artistry of the dance and the music will educate audiences about this ancient culture that has influenced the world.

3. To present Persian Dance, not only as traditional entertainment, but as a dynamic, expressive art form, high in artistic integrity.

For more information about upcoming classes, click here.