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 Dagliya is the artistic director and co-founder of Shoonya Dance Centre in Ghent, Belgium. Born and raised in Pune, India—near Mumbai, the heart of Bollywood—he grew up immersed in the vibrant world of Indian film music and dance. He blends his Indian roots with training in ballet, jazz, modern, and contemporary dance to make Indian dance more accessible and relatable to international audiences.
He is a certified instructor with Learn Bhangra® and holds a diploma in Indian folk dance, with deep expertise in traditional forms like Garba, Rajasthani dances such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, and other folk styles from across India. His formal training includes graduation from the Broadway Dance Center in New York and advanced studies at Opus Ballet in Florence, Italy, where he trained with renowned teachers and international artists.
From 2008 to 2018, Swapnil led his own dance school in India—SPACE (Swapnil’s Performing Arts & Contemporary Ensemble)—and taught dance and theory at Lalit Kala Kendra – University of Pune and Flame University, mentoring many young dancers.
His journey with movement began in childhood through yoga, guided by his grandmother, a student of B.K.S. Iyengar. In 2011, he completed his yoga teacher training in Pune, a foundation that continues to influence his approach to choreography and teaching today.
Now based in Belgium, Swapnil teaches regular classes at Shoonya Dance Centre and leads ABC a Bollywood Company. He is also the curator of the annual Gent India Dans Festival, a celebration of the richness and diversity of Indian dance in the heart of Ghent.
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.