Women In Business

Shiromi networks dancing teachers

Sanjeevi JAYASURIYA

The rhythmic expressions of body movements that blend with music give a pleasant feeling regardless of one’s age. There are a number of forms of dancing that are popular at present. In a rapid paced lifestyle and development centric environment, the day-to-day life has become stressful. Dancing has been identified as a way to relieve stress and this has opened many opportunities for novel ventures.

Rhythm World Dance Studio Directress and Instructress Shiromi Perera has been able to make use of her skills in dancing to mould many students of all ages. Her passion for dancing is the key to her success where she was instrumental in organizing the first Sri Lanka International Rhythm World Dancesport Championship in association with Sri Lanka Tourism. Her effort to create a network of dance teachers in the country is commendable. She is working towards taking dancing to the next level locally and internationally.

She was interviewed by Daily News Business.

Excerpts of the interview.

Q : What is the business you are engaged in and how do you set about it?

A : I am engaged in promoting Latin American and Ballroom Dancing with the launch of Rhythm World Dance Studio in 2000. I started teaching on a small-scale and with time I became a professionally qualified dancing teacher. I advertise my classes and the response is overwhelming. There are both male and female students, but mostly females of all ages and different social standings. I teach all forms of dancing which come under Latin American and Ballroom. The dancing classes are different as there are many socializing activities to create a soothing environment and better interaction.

I started my dancing career understudying Kandyan dancing at the Chithrasena School of Dancing at the age of seven, a passion which continued into a school career for a period of more than eight years under the guidance of Rathna Rajapakse, daughter of well-known veteran dancer Sri Jayana. Today, though I excel in a different form of dancing, this has enabled me to continue my training to blossom into a recognized dancing teacher.

Q : How do you balance your family life and business?

A : My life revolves around my family and husband Daya and daughter Keshini get constant attention despite my busy schedule. Most of my classes are in the weekends and my husband takes care of the daughter in my absence. I am free on weekdays mostly. I strike a balance between family life and business with the support of my family. My brothers and sister are very close to each other and this has made things easy for me.

Q : What were the challenges you faced?

A : Dealing with people with different walks of life, having to work with people who lack a sense of loyalty towards the dance school, dealing with some in the dance circle who do not see ‘eye to eye’, trying to organize international events and getting financial support were the challenges. However, my faith in God always kept me going.

Q : What are your goals?

A : As a mother my goal is to ensure my daughter reaches her highest goals in her chosen field.

With regard to business the goal would be to have my own studio someday as I run my studio on a lease at present. I also plan to bring all dance teachers to work together. I like to see more couples representing Sri Lanka and bringing fame to the country at international competitions. We have talented dancers and they need constant guidance and training to reach international level. I would be happy to produce world class dancers.

Q : Was being a woman an advantage to be in business?

A : Females feel comfortable and I also give a lot of support to male students to mix as all of them are necessary for creative dancing. Dancing is mostly dominated by males. However, I had to work hard and get my qualifications to be recognized internationally. My passion has taken me this far.

Q : What is your advice to women in business?

A : Think with your heart and act with your brain. Do not expect too much from everyone around you. Be very determined, thick skinned and bullet proof.

Q : What were your achievements in family life and business?

A : I lead a successful family life. I have obtained the necessary qualifications in the field of dancing. I am the International Director of the World Dance Council Asian Amateur League. I have been granted the World Dance Council International Adjudicators Licence. I consider these as achievements and work along promoting dancing in the country.

Q : What is your contribution to society?

A : The biggest contribution is to help people to overcome stress. I always strive to make people happy and use dancing as a tool to relieve stress. I maintain discipline in my classes and this is important as the students are from different backgrounds and ages.

I plan to form a Dance Association to improve the quality of dancing in general and to help young and upcoming dancers specifically. There will be reputed international trainers to enable local dancers to gain foreign exposure. As dancing has become a popular form of stress reliever involvement of more people in this arena will facilitate a healthy nation.

[email protected]