The Tracking Indian Youth Workers Media Fellowship presents the next in a series of stories capturing the lives of young workers across India.
For 23-year-old Shoaib Sharif, dance is more than just a hobby—it’s a passion he hopes to turn into something bigger. A dance instructor with dreams of becoming a social media influencer and breaking into cinema, he reflects on his journey so far—from how it all began, to the support he’s received from his family, and his ambitions to make a name for himself through performance and content creation.
“I see social media as a way to grow—personally and financially. It gives me a platform to reach more people than I ever could through local classes alone, and that means more opportunities to support my family.”
Read his full story below. Profile by Sajjad Khan.
Sajjad: To begin with, can you tell us a bit about yourself?
Sharif: My name is Shoaib Sharif, and I’m 23 years old. I live in Perambur, Chennai, and work as a professional dancer and dance instructor. My family consists of four members—my parents, my younger sister, and me. My sister is currently in her third year of college, and my father runs a small biryani shop.
Sajjad: Did you attend college?
Sharif: Yes, I initially enrolled in a B.Com program, but had to drop out due to financial difficulties. It was a challenging period—I was struggling to manage both the fees and daily expenses. Now that I’ve started earning through dance coaching, I’ve been able to save up and have re-enrolled in a BA English program. This time, I’m determined to complete my degree. I’m balancing my college schedule alongside teaching dance classes.
Sajjad: What does your week look like as a dance instructor?
Sharif: I take four classes a week across two academies—“Dance Lesson” and “Lamtype.” Most of my students are adults, and each session lasts about an hour. It’s a manageable routine that gives me enough time to focus on my own practice as well as my college work.
Sajjad: How did your journey with dance begin?
Sharif: I was inspired by Bollywood choreographer Piyush Bhagat—that’s where it all started. I began dancing in 2019 and really focused on training and improving my skills throughout 2020. By 2022, I was confident enough to call myself a professional dancer. I’ve been teaching for the past two years now.
Sajjad: How did your family respond when you decided to pursue dance as a career? Have they been supportive?
Sharif: Yes, they’ve been supportive right from the start. I’m the younger one in the family, and most of the expectations have always been directed toward my elder sister. That gave me a little more freedom to explore what I really love. When I told them I wanted to take dance seriously, they didn’t stop me—they just told me to stay committed to whatever I choose.
Sajjad: What do you enjoy most about being a dance instructor?
Sharif: The best part is definitely the energy in the studio—when students are fully present, vibing with the music, and pushing themselves. I also love choreographing and watching my students grow—it’s really fulfilling.
What I find tough is when people don’t take dance seriously. They treat it like a hobby, not a real profession. Right now, I earn enough to support myself, but not enough to take full financial responsibility for my family. I help out whenever I can, and I’m working toward growing—taking more classes, building my presence on social media—so I can contribute more in the future.
Sajjad: What challenges did you face early on as a dance instructor? And how did you figure out ways to earn an income through dance?
Sharif: At first, I had no idea how to make money from dance—I just loved doing it. I was lucky to have a senior who mentored me and helped me understand the difference between just dancing and being a professional dancer. He showed me how to present myself and find opportunities.
I started small—going door to door in apartments, offices, and local spaces, offering to take classes. It wasn’t easy, and there were a lot of rejections, but that’s how I got my first few chances. Slowly, I built a network, and now I’ve reached a point where I have regular classes and a steady student base.
Sajjad: What are your future goals? Do you see yourself continuing with dance, or exploring other areas?
Sharif: My goals go beyond just being a dancer. I want to build a career as a social media influencer—whether that’s through dance, content creation, or even acting. I’m also working toward breaking into the film industry. Dance is my starting point, but I’m exploring every path where I can express myself and grow creatively.
Sajjad: Why do you want to become a social media influencer?
Sharif: I see social media as a way to grow—personally and financially. It gives me a platform to reach more people than I ever could through local classes alone, and that means more opportunities to support my family. Films have always been a dream for me. I love performing, and cinema feels like the biggest stage for that.
It’s definitely a mix of everything—the art, the recognition, and the financial growth. I’ve been to a few auditions already, and I regularly take part in college competitions where I’ve won some cash prizes too. I’m quite active on Instagram—I post dance reels, performance clips, and I’m steadily building up my audience.
Sajjad: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?
Sharif: I usually spend my free time exploring new dance styles on YouTube and Instagram—watching different choreographies really inspires me and gives me new ideas. I also love listening to old Bollywood songs; they have a vibe that never gets old. Sometimes, I practice acting scenes or create short content videos for social media—it's something I enjoy and want to keep improving at.
Sajjad: Lastly, can you share your thoughts on the opportunities and challenges young workers face in India?
Sharif: I think a lot depends on a person’s skills—especially good communication in English and practical knowledge. If you have those, finding opportunities becomes a bit easier. But the reality is, not everyone has equal access. Some people get ahead through recommendations or personal connections, while others have to work much harder just to be noticed. For many young people without strong networks, the struggle is definitely real.
This is an ongoing series of profiles documenting the experiences of young people across India. Stay tuned for more stories from young workers across India. Follow us on social media for more updates.
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