Our Professional Dance Instructors
Meet the Visionary Behind AJ DanceFit – Akshay Jain
Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, Akshay Jain is the driving force behind AJ
DanceFit — a brand that has redefined dance fitness in India. With over
15 years in the industry, his journey from background dancer to
assistant, choreographer, and now founder of AJ DanceFit Entertainment
LLP is built on passion, grit, and an unshakable belief in the power of
movement.
Akshay’s mission has always been more than just teaching dance — he set
out to create a high-energy, inclusive space where fitness meets rhythm,
and people of all backgrounds can feel confident, strong, and free. His
feel-good routines set to global commercial tracks have turned AJ
DanceFit into a true movement.
Today, the brand stands tall with:
✨ 300+ students training across Mumbai
✨ 750K+ subscribers on YouTube — and counting!
More than a founder, Akshay is the heart and backbone of the team. His
unique blend of discipline and empathy has shaped a community that
thrives on energy, expression, and joy. AJ DanceFit is what it is today
because of his vision, dedication, and fire!
We are proud of you AJ!
Meet the Co-Founder of AJ DanceFit – Shivika Pratap
A powerhouse of passion, intellect, and unshakable determination,
Shivika Pratap is the co-founder of AJ DanceFit . A double postgraduate
from the London School of Economics, and a graduate of Lady Shri Ram
College, Delhi University, Shivika brings a rare blend of academic
brilliance, social purpose, and confident fire to everything she
touches.
From working part-time at McDonald’s in London during her master’s to
leading projects with Greenpeace, United Way, and Don Bosco, Akshay
Patra— including CSR initiatives for Citi and J.P. Morgan — Shivika
brings over six years of development sector experience, though her true
passion has always been dance.
While studying in Delhi, Shivika attended jazz and freestyle classes at
The Danceworx under Ashley Lobo — simply out of her love for dance,
never imagining it would one day become her calling.
In 2020, she co-founded AJ DanceFit with Akshay Jain, transforming a
shared love for dance into one of India’s most dynamic and inclusive
dance fitness platforms. While Akshay leads the creative front, Shivika
is the heart and engine behind the brand — shaping its vision and adding
a spark to the community from the ground up.
She’s also the creator of Stay Sassy with Shivika — a signature dance
and expression class that empowers people, especially women, to
reconnect with their bodies, embrace their individuality, and move with
bold, fearless joy. Her energy and authenticity have resonated far and
wide, building an online community of over 90,000 followers on Instagram
who connect deeply with her message of strength, self-love, and feminine
power.
Shivika isn’t just the co-founder of AJ DanceFit — she’s its soul, its
storyteller, and the driving force behind its culture and heartbeat. Her
journey — from classrooms in Delhi and London to the dance floors of
Mumbai — is a testament to what’s possible when purpose meets passion.
Meet Akash – one of the most integral members of the AJ DanceFit family,
known not just for his talent but for his unshakable dedication,
humility, and work ethic. With over 8 years of experience, Akash has
grown through the ranks of Mumbai’s competitive dance scene, performing
at renowned college festivals like Malhar, Kshitij, and Brahmotsav, and
bringing his energy to platforms ranging from Bollywood projects and
IIFA stages to sangeets and corporate shows.
Trained in styles like Bollywood, Hip-Hop, Urban, and Contemporary,
Akash brings a rare combination of technical precision and effortless
groove. He has taught students across all age groups, always creating a
space where learning feels empowering and joyful. His commitment to his
craft and to his students is unmatched.
Since joining AJ DanceFit on 3rd October 2021, Akash has been more than
just an instructor — he has been a constant source of strength,
discipline, and silent leadership. From showing up early and staying
back late, to holding the team together in the toughest moments, Akash
has never wavered in his loyalty or his love for what we do.
AJ DanceFit simply wouldn’t be AJ DanceFit without Akash. His presence
is the kind that lifts everyone around him — a true foundation on which
this growing family stands. We are so lucky to have you with us !
Meet Tanya — a radiant burst of creativity, energy, and joy who lives
and breathes all things dance, drama, and art! She first landed in
Mumbai in 2011 for a short internship and never looked back — the city
quickly became her canvas. Over the years, she’s worn many hats,
thriving in fields as diverse as hospitality, media, real estate, and
recruitment — always bringing her trademark spark to everything she
touches.
Trained at the iconic Terence Lewis Dance Academy and Barry John Acting
School, Tanya blends performance and personality in the most effortless
way. She now leads business development at a Dubai-based startup by day,
and by night, she lights up the dance floor at AJ DanceFit with her
infectious energy, expressive style, and fearless spirit.
Tanya’s journey with AJ DanceFit began as a student, where she would
attend classes purely out of love for movement. Over time, that passion
grew — and for the past two years, she’s been an integral part of the AJ
DanceFit family as an instructor, performer, and constant source of
joy.
A true free soul with a sparkle in her step and a smile that never
fades, Tanya is all about movement, growth, and living life out loud —
joyfully, unapologetically, and always dancing to her own beat. We are
truly proud to have you with us.
Meet Raj – a dynamic and passionate dancer with over 14 years of
experience in performance, choreography, and dance education. From
teaching in top institutions like St. Andrews College, Sophia College,
and Vibgyor International School, to choreographing sangeets, stage
shows, and church events, Raj brings energy, creativity, and heart to
every stage he steps on.
He has independently conducted workshops across colleges and studios,
and has worked with renowned Bollywood choreographers like Mudassar Khan
and Vijay Ganguly on projects including Bhabhiji Ghar Par Hain and
rapper Naezy’s Tehelka. A winner of numerous college competitions and a
judge at several intercollegiate fests, Raj was crowned Mr. Jhankaar and
Best Dancer of the Year at St. Andrew’s College in 2016, and was
featured in Bombay Times for his standout post-lockdown performance.
Raj has been a beloved part of the AJ DanceFit family for the past one
and a half years. A true crowd-favorite among students, he is known for
his infectious energy, dedication, and ability to light up every class
with passion and positivity. It’s a delight to have you on our team.
Born and raised in Mumbai, Ankita is a counselling psychologist by
profession and a trained dancer by passion.
She has completed her Post Graduation in Counselling Psychology
(Specialisation in the Adult Population) from Tata Institute of Social
Sciences, Mumbai. She formerly worked in reputed Mental Health
Organisations in Bangalore and Delhi.
For the past three years, Ankita has been running her private therapy
practice in Mumbai and continues to advocate for mental health in
various meaningful ways. She has stayed connected to dance all her life
and considers movement a vital part of both mental and physical
well-being.
Ankita began her dance training in Jazz, and later went on to
professionally train and teach in Latin Ballroom. She was earlier a part
of Akshay Jain’s team, teaching and assisting in classes, events, and
content creation — and we’re so glad to have her back with us once
again.
People-oriented, hardworking, and deeply intentional, Ankita’s mission
is to help people experience their healthiest selves — inside and out.
Meet Kajal – From IT to AJ!
Say hello to the newest burst of energy on our team — Kajal Kesharwani,
who has just joined AJ DanceFit Mumbai as a full-time instructor! With 3
years of experience in the IT sector as a software engineer, Kajal was
working at a corporate firm in Pune, building a stable career. But
beneath the world of codes and systems, her heart was always dancing to
a different beat — quite literally. Her love for dance fitness began to
grow stronger over time, and even while working a full-time job, she
found herself leading high-energy fitness sessions in gyms across Pune,
igniting joy and confidence in every class.
With 1.5 years of dance experience, Kajal brings a unique mix of
discipline, structure, and passion — blending the logic of her tech
background with the rhythm and power of movement. She believes in making
fitness fun, dynamic, and accessible, and her classes reflect that
infectious energy.
Now, she’s taken the bold leap of faith — moving to Mumbai to pursue her
true calling as a dance fitness instructor. We’re beyond thrilled to
welcome her to the AJ DanceFit family, and we can’t wait for our
students to experience her spirit, commitment, and unstoppable drive.
Here’s to chasing dreams, sweating it out, and dancing like no one’s
watching — welcome aboard, Kajal!
Suzanne Patrick D’Souza brings with her over 6 years of experience across aviation, insurance, and telecom — basically, she knows exactly how to handle people, processes, and everything in between with ease. 💁🏼♀️
From managing guest experiences at Jet Airways to resolving customer queries and supporting operations in fast-paced environments, she’s all about keeping things smooth, efficient, and stress-free.
Along with her strong background in customer service and operations, Suzanne also has a creative side — she’s a certified hair and makeup artist 💄who has worked on bridal looks, shoots, and professional projects. So yes, she brings both structure and style to the table.
We’re super happy to have her as part of the AJ Dance Smith team as our admin — making sure everything runs seamlessly behind the scenes while we all shine on the floor 🕺
Join Us Today!
