School History

Trained in classical ballet for over 25 years, Sureka embarked on the challenge to inspire students to think of movement innovatively, explore and experiment with rhythm, musicality and improvisation and founded DANCEWORLD School of Modern, Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet in 2005.

A marketer and an entrepreneur by profession Sureka has over 10 years of experience in the Advertising, and Travel industry and as the founder of the first Modern, Jazz, Contemporary & Ballet dance academy, has the knowledge of operating this unique dance studio with years of teaching, which has generated many links in the arts and entertainment industry.

She has in the past 19 years been invited as the principal choreographer of productions for several leading schools in Colombo as well as Corporate Events, while the school’s annual recitals and shows have only received the highest accolades with a profound impact on the progress of the Creative Arts in Sri Lanka.

As the school's Artistic Director and Member of the International Dance Council – CID, UNESCO, it is her greatest satisfaction to share her passion and the United Nations of Dance, by offering all students the best possible quality and well-rounded dance training in Sri Lanka and internationally.

Shaanee gained her Bachelor’s in Human Resource Development at Hawaii Pacific University prior to having gained her Degree in Hotel Management at Les Roche Hotel Management School Switzerland. Shaanee, an entrepreneur by profession is the first Female CEO in the Wine Distribution industry in the Maldives and Sri Lanka. Prior to this she was the second female to have reached the level of F&B Director in the Maldivian Hotel industry. She joined DWS. as Business Director/Partner in 2016 and is a Member of the International Dance Council – CID, UNESCO.

Shaanee brings over twenty-five years of working in both the hospitality and the cooperate world and has placed this knowledge and experience to develop and grow DANCEWORLD (DWS) with her expertise in all aspects of the business.

Shaanee with her strong business ethics, a will to succeed and parental love for our girls, is the visionary for DWS. She is the driving force that brings DWS to play a leading role in our stage shows and compete on an international scale that continues to shape the cultural landscape of Sri Lanka.

With 18 years of dance training at DANCEWORLD (DWS), Shyomie has 9 years of teaching experience assisting Sureka in 2015. Her passion, dedication, and commitment to DWS is limitless as she displays a high standard of conduct in her role as Lead Instructor, hosting classes from beginner to advanced levels. Shyomie’s passion for the arts and her tremendous commitment and responsibility in her dance career has earned her the role of Lead Instructor and Head of Administration at DWS.

Shyomie has attended workshops given by Master teachers from across the globe, such as Mark Goodman, Alex Little, Adam Parson, Katherine McCormick, Stacey Tookey and Robyn Brawley to name a few, in her participation at the Festival of Dance and Disneyland Los Angeles. Shyomie’s contribution won the school 6 out of 10 awards at our participation at both DANCE EXCELLENCE 2017 and 2019, in USA.

A Member of the International Dance Council – CID, UNESCO, Shyomie has received up to level 8 Certification in Dance Studies in Contemporary, Jazz, Modern and Ballet from the International Dance Council – CID, UNESCO.

A Summa Cum Laude of Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences from Northern Arizona University, Shyomie wishes to expand her expertise in the field of Psychology, with a desire in offering dance therapy to children with special needs.

17-year-old Alisha has been training at DWS for the past 10 years. Her perseverance, growth and progress in Classical, Contemporary and Jazz dance has led her to advance to the Senior levels in the academy and engage in assisting in Junior and Intermediate classes since September 2021.

As a member of the team representing DWS and Sri Lanka, Alisha had the rare opportunity to perform at Disneyland California and attend workshops offered by renowned Master Teachers from across the globe at Dance Excellence 2019.

Alisha’s passion for the arts, assertiveness, and attention to detail displays her ability to work with her contemporaries while being a role model of DWS, showing much promise in the future.

20-year-old Vihani, a speech and drama teacher, a counsellor, and a director of the Asian Grammar School. started out as an assistant teacher in 2022, owing to her passion and dedication towards her dance journey.

Vihani represented DANCEWORLD School in the international invitational event DANCE EXCELLENCE 2019 – in Los Angeles California, USA, where her team was awarded top honors at the DE International Performance Boards and attended dance workshops by Master Teachers from around the globe.

Crowned as an accomplished Kandyan dancer, Vihani holds an Advanced Diploma in Psychology, a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of West London and is currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology.

14-year-old Kenuli has been training Jazz, Contemporary and Classical dance at DWS for the past 7 years and is a member of the Senior/Advanced group. Kenuli’s passion for the arts and her tremendous perseverance and responsibility in her dance journey has led her to interning as an assistant teacher at the tender age of 13.

Kenuli had the opportunity to represent Sri Lanka/DWS at the International Festival for Young dancers; Dance Excellence in Los Angeles-USA in 2019 and was also a member of the ensemble that performed at Disneyland California as representatives of Sri Lanka where our show was applauded enthusiastically.

Being a dancer in her school’s dance society as well, Kenuli always seeks to advance her artistic expression of movement through dance on each stage that she gets to perform, while offering a helping hand to her juniors and colleagues.

Throughout Kenuli’s training at DWS, she has learned to work with groups of dancers, while utilizing her strengths to lead by example and assist with commitment and discipline to her peers as well as the junior students at the academy.

15-year-old Sayuki, who is dedicated and passionate towards her dancing career, was born and raised in Kuwait. She had the fortune of beginning her dance training under the guidance of a professional Russian ballet coach at the age of 5.

Since joining DWS in 2019 Sayuki has trained in Jazz, Contemporary and Classical dance and is now a member of the Senior/Advanced group.


Throughout her dance journey and accomplishments, Sayuki displays great compassion and responsibility to the tasks assigned to her and assists with choreography and training students from beginner to advanced levels in Jazz and Contemporary classes since 2023.

With a strong technical skill, body awareness and a tremendous passion for the arts, Sayuki aspires to be a professional dancer one day,

18-year-old Tamara has been training at DWS for the past 6 years. She started as an assistant teacher, aspiring to one day become a dance instructor and choreographer. Ever since joining DWS, she has found a place to creatively express herself and push through her comfort zone.

Tamara has represented DWS and Sri Lanka in the International Invitational event DANCE EXCELLENCE 2019- in Los Angeles California, USA. Tamara was given the privilege to perform at Disneyland California a representative of Sri Lanka. She also attended workshops offered by Master Teachers renowned globally.

Tamara’s drive and passion for this art form, is a true inspiration to others towards their love for dance.

20-year-old Tanalia, with 13 years of training at DANCEWORLD (DWS), started interning as an assistant teacher in 2017. Whilst displaying sound technical proficiency, a passion for the arts and commitment in her dance career, Tanalia is responsible for assisting with choreography and training students at all levels.

An enthusiastic dancer, she has attended workshops offered by Master teachers from across the globe during her participation in DANCE EXCELLENCE (DE) 2019 where her team won 3 top awards at the DE 2019 International Performance Boards in the Adult Category in Jazz, Contemporary and Open Category. Tanalia was also a member of the team that performed at Disneyland California as representatives of Sri Lanka.

Tanalia is also an accomplished Kandyan dancer having received training at school since the age of 11. Tanalia is not only a dedicated dancer but is also an enthusiastic synchronized swimmer who has been placed in several National Competitions. While completing her LLB from University of London, Tanalia continues her dance and synchronized swimming.