Shahrzad Khorsandi is an Iranian-American dancer, choreographer, and educator. She is the founder of Shahrzad Dance Academy and Shahrzad Dance Company, and co-founder of the Iranian Dance Academy. Born in Iran and passionate about dance, she immigrated to the U.S. in 1980 during the political revolution and studied dance, earning a BA in Dance and an MA in Creative Arts from San Francisco State University.


With a deep understanding of Iranian culture and aesthetics and a strong foundation ion and studied dance, earning a BA in Dance and an MA in Creative Arts from San Francisco State University.


With a deep understanding of Iranian culture and aesthetics and a strong foundation in academic dance education, Shahrzad developed a unique technique and pedagogy for teaching Iranian urban dance, which she has documented in her book, The Art of Persian Dance. She has taught at several colleges and institutions, and continues to teach Iranian urban dance worldwide, helping to preserve and promote this culturally rich but politically challenged art form.


Shahrzad’s choreographic work, rooted in tradition and contemporary in expression, is innovative and emotive. Beyond performance and choreography, she uses dance as a means of social impact and healing. She leads creative movement residencies in schools and collaborates with an international team of neuroscientists to study the effects of dance on the brain. Through teaching, research, and outreach, she advocates for dance as a tool for fostering empathy, connection, and community building. Her contributions have earned her awards, recognition, and a lasting reputation as a pioneer in the field of Iranian urban dance.
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