Who We Are
Welcome to Shoonya Dance Centre, where diversity and inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do. Our vibrant dance school embraces individuals of all backgrounds, orientations, shapes, and colors. We are committed to providing high-quality dance classes that celebrate personal growth and foster a strong sense of community. Join us and let's dance with passion and joy!
Why Shoonya?
Shoonya, a Sanskrit term, holds meanings of void and nothingness. It has deep roots in the philosophies of ancient cultures like India and China. The concept of Shoonya suggests that everything in existence is interconnected, emphasizing a sense of unity that connects all things.
We named our dance school Shoonya Dance Centre because we believe that dance is a way to tap into this unity and interconnectedness. It allows us to explore various aspects of the human experience and express ourselves beyond the limitations of words and language.
Moreover, Shoonya also represents the numerical value of zero. This is significant to us because we view dance as a journey that starts with a single step. It serves as a foundation from which we can grow, adding complexity and meaning as we develop our skills and venture into the vast world of movement.
In essence, Shoonya represents both a beginning and an end. It serves as a starting point for those embarking on their dance journey and serves as a reminder that even the most intricate dances are built upon simple movements and steps.
Ultimately, the name Shoonya reflects our belief in the transformative power of dance. It has the potential to connect us with ourselves, others, and the broader world. We warmly invite you to join us on this exciting journey of exploration and discovery into the vibrant world of dance.
SWAPNIL DAGLIYA
Swapnil hails from India, born and raised in Pune, not far from Mumbai, the Bollywood city of India. Since his birth, he has been immersed in the music and dance of the Bollywood (Indian film dance) world. He uses his experience in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance to make Indian dance more accessible to people outside of India.
Swapnil Dagliya, artistic director and co-founder of Shoonya Dance Centre, graduated from the prestigious Broadway Dance Center in New York, specializing in ballet, modern jazz, contemporary, and other dance forms. He furthered his training at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy, where he honed his skills under the guidance of experienced instructors and collaborated with renowned artists. His professional experience also includes running his own dance school, SPACE (Swapnil's Performing Arts & Contemporary Ensemble), from 2008 to 2018. During this time, he served as the director and curator of AVAYAVA, a contemporary dance festival in India since 2012. For many years, he taught dance and theory at two universities in India (Lalit Kala Kendra - University of Pune and Flame University).
Swapnil's passion for yoga began in his childhood. He completed his yoga teacher training in 2011 in Pune, India. His grandmother, who learned yoga directly from B.K.S Iyengar, imparted her knowledge to Swapnil from an early age, teaching him yoga asanas, yogic philosophy, and mantras. This foundation in yoga has influenced his approach to dance and movement.
In addition to his diverse dance background, Swapnil has also completed an Indian folk dance diploma. He possesses expertise in Indian folk dance, including the vibrant and energetic dance style of Bhangra.
He now conducts regular classes at the Shoonya Dance Centre and has launched an Indian dance company in Ghent called "ABC a Bollywood Company."
WIM
Wim Boussery, founder and director of Shoonya Dance vzw, discovered salsa in the late 1980s. At that time, salsa was completely unknown in our country and still in full development. Wim intensely studied under various teachers, both domestically and internationally. In 1999, he began teaching salsa himself, and it eventually became his full-time job in 2004. In 2015, he co-founded the Shoonya Dance Centre with Swapnil Dagliya. Some typical characteristics of his fluid teaching style include patience, humor, calmness, and step-by-step detailed explanations for both followers and leaders, emphasizing love, respect, and tenderness towards dance partners.
He often compares learning this dance to learning a language: The first year is crucial, as you learn structured vocabulary and verbs to construct simple sentences. In the second year, you learn to create longer sentences, and the third level brings the poetry of the dance.