Shakeera is a freelance dance artist and tutor based in Cardiff, Wales.
She is inspired by music and the nuances of melody and rhythm, that drives her physicality and continuously sculpts her movement language. She loves to explore improvisation through these qualities, which has deeply informed her artistic practice.
Shakeera began her dance training at the Rubicon Dance Centre in Cardiff, It was here that she really ignited a passion and drive for a more technical and physical approach to contemporary dance. She then studied at the London Contemporary Dance School where she performed in works by Sasha Waltz, Richard Alston and Tony Adigun.
During her 3rd year with LCDS, she trained at the California Institute of the Arts as an exchange student. This time further developed her creative practice working with live musicians and gave her insight into arts and performance from an international perspective.
Shakeera is drawn to work that explores community through music, movement and text. In 2019, she received a research and development grant from Arts Council Wales to explore, ‘Community and Bond’. The project was inspired by her upbringing in Butetown, Docks, and explored the familiarity of home, through dance, music, and text. Spoken word and music underscored ‘Community and Bond’ with an installation of traditional garments worn by her parents and grandparents from Yemen.
Shakeera has also been developing her teaching practice and has previously taught technique class and improvisation for Jukebox Collective’s Dance Academy. She currently teaches for ‘Baby Ballet Cardiff and Swansea’ and continues to freelance. Recently, she was commissioned by Cultural Cwtsh to create a digital movement series for NHS staff and health and social care workers.
In October 2023, Shakeera will join National Theatre Wales ‘Circle of Fifths’ tour, as a performer around Wales and London.