Karima Essa

Discipline: Dance
Homebase: New Westminster
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays, Virtual
Languages: English, Hindi
Themes: Mental Health
Grant Eligibility: Eligible for 70% AIE

Karima Essa, a three-time Canadian National Dance champion, is a charismatic Bollywood dancer, choreographer and performer. In 2014 and 2015, her love for Bollywood took her to Mumbai as a two-time finalist on Omni TV's reality show, Bollywood Star. Since first showcasing in 2018, she has performed shows and workshops in 250+ schools across BC and Saskatchewan. Karima's new focus is on celebrating that all bodies can dance by bringing the body positivity movement to Bollywood Dance in schools. Karima has also completed her Education Assistance certification and is interested in exploring how dance can help improve socio-emotional skills in children with autism or other special needs.

Bollywood workshops, multi-day residencies and performances are available all year-round. Discounted pricing available for multi-day workshops and residencies. Contact Kim at [email protected] for more info.

Testimonials & Reviews

"Karima was amazing. She had so much energy and made us feel good about ourselves and our desire to dance.....her energy was contagious." "She grabbed the attention of the students from the minute they came in until the end of the workshop. They were fully engaged from start to finish." "I never thought I would see that student so passionate about dancing. Karima has a way to get to the heart of these kids so they want to come alive and share 'their magic.' Various teachers from Kerrobert Composite School, Saskatchewan

I highly recommend Karima as an artist-in-residence or performer as her instructional strategies and energy involved all types of learners. She successfully created choreographies with multiple age groups. We all found the experience enriching and transforming. Our parents enjoyed the final performance and were moved by the quality. Karima will have your whole community celebrating! Natalie Morissette, Vancouver principal

Karima had the students fully engaged in her performance. She was charismatic and funny and her show had just the right amount of watch-and-learn and follow-me! The students and staff were entertained and learned about the magic of communicating through music Celidh Deichmann, school administrator in Victoria

Browse Artists Directory