Safeeya Pirani, a Mulgrave student from Kindergarten to Grade12, has admirably found a way to connect her passion for dance with community service by starting a non-profit organisation aiming to help people with physical and mental disabilities. Tapping into the skills she learned in dance over the years, Safeeya is now flawlessly translating her experience to a future in journalism. Find out how Safeeya has done it in this week’s Alumni Spotlight!
Q&A
SAFEEYA Pirani
Mulgrave School Class of 2008 | Interviewed by Michelle Noble | March 2015
Hi Safeeya, it’s great to connect with you again. Let’s
opportunity to travel to SDI’s head institute in Bombay,
start off by focussing on one of your biggest
India for five months, where I got to teach, perform in
passions in life – dance. How long have you been
shows, and take part in movie shoots. Eight years later,
dancing for and in what capacity?
my passion for dance is just as strong. I love teaching and I have performed at some amazing local events,
I’ve been dancing since I was nine years old. I used
such as The BC Lions Half Time Show, WE Day, The
to take jazz and hip hop classes, and then eventually
World Police and Fire Games, and The Times of India
I joined Shiamak Davar International (SDI) in 2004. I
Film awards.
started off as a student, and then got the opportunity to audition for a special training group. After being
As a student-dancer at Mulgrave, how did you manage
selected, there was no looking back. In 2007, at the age
to balance your dance commitments with the demands
of 16, I joined the company as a professional instructor
of the IB Programme?
and performer and began teaching Bollywood jazz, yoga, and Bollywood workout classes to students of
It wasn’t always easy balancing school and dance, but
all ages across the Lower Mainland. I also had the
I believe that if there is something you are passionate
about, then all it takes is some extra hard work and
them than they are from me.
time management. School is of course very important, so it’s vital to keep your priorities straight. I’m glad my
After Mulgrave, you completed the Communications
parents were strict yet supportive because it always
programme at SFU. Do you feel the IB Programme
helped me to stay on track.
prepared you for university life?
We are honoured to welcome you back to Mulgrave to
The IB programme was demanding and it required a
have you perform at our 2015 Bollywood-themed Gala
lot of organisation and time management. We had to
on May 2nd. What style of dance will you be doing?
write and research a lot, which helped me prepare for university life in many ways.
I am very excited to be dancing at the Mulgrave Spring Gala! We will be showcasing the true essence
What has been your biggest challenge post-graduation
of Bollywood – drama, high-energy music, and lots of
and how did you manage it?
colourful costumes. My biggest challenge was getting over the fear of What It is truly a privilege to have an alumni presence at
would happen next? Questions like, What will I do
Mulgrave’s biggest, annual fundraiser. We find it very
with my career? and Will I ever get a job in the field I
inspiring that you’ve found a way to incorporate what
want? were some of the thoughts that kept running
you love to do through philanthropic initiatives. How have you gone about doing this? I helped start up a nonprofit organisation through our company called, DANCE FOR GOOD. We gather
“I am very excited to be dancing at the Mulgrave Spring Gala! We will be showcasing the true essence of Bollywood.”
through my head. I realised one day that I am still young and as long as I stick to my goals, I will continue to get opportunities. Congratulations on being accepted into the Broadcast Journalism Programme at
a team of dancers of all ages, including our dancers
BCIT! How has a career in dance translated for you into
with special needs, to go to places like hospitals,
a career in journalism?
orphanages, senior homes, and health care centres to perform with one goal in mind: spreading smiles. We
I have always been interested in pursuing a career in
have set up these programmes for people with various
journalism; I am an active writer and have enjoyed
disabilities as a way to give back in our community. I
writing since my days at Mulgrave. I also love
have been volunteering at The North Shore Connexions
interacting with people, and because of dance, I have
Society and The Developmental Disabilities Association
been exposed to the camera from a young age, so
for a few years now, and it’s extremely fulfilling to put
it’s something that comes naturally to me. I thought
a smile on someone’s face; seeing people’s progress,
BCIT would be a great choice because the programme
both psychologically and physically, is amazing. Many
is very hands-on and will allow me to step foot into
of these individuals live in the moment, and appreciate
the industry right away. Dance has taught me how to
everything. I always feel like I am learning more from
interact with people, how to be comfortable in front of continued on next page...
the camera, and has given me a lot of self-confidence. I am sure that these skills will help me in my journalism career. What is your dream job? After BCIT, I am hoping to start off working locally at a TV station, such as CBC,
a fashion magazine like Vogue, to be a news anchor for
“It’s extremely fulfilling to put a smile on someone’s face. Seeing people’s progress, both psychologically and physically, is amazing.”
Global, CTV, or even in PR/Communications to gain as
a major broadcasting network, or to work in entertainment on television, perhaps in Toronto, New York, or LA. Have you had any mentors or role
models who have helped you find your path?
much experience as I can before venturing on to new things. Eventually, my dream job would be to work for
I wouldn’t necessarily say I have had any mentors, but I continued on next page...
have always looked up to Giuliana Rancic on E! News as
it would be worth it.” Does this quote hold even more
a role model. I love her on-screen presence as an anchor – she has a great personality. You may not remember, but in your 2008 Yearbook you quoted, “Life is too short to wake up in the morning with regrets. So love the people who treat you right, forget the ones that don’t and believe that everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance,
weight now than it did when you first
“No matter what we go through in life, whether it’s positive or negative, it is always a learning experience.”
wrote it? I think this quote definitely holds more weight now. When I wrote it, it was because it was something I believed in, but now it is something I have experienced, as well. As I have gotten older I have realised that no matter what we go through in life, whether it’s positive or negative, it is always a learning experience.
take it; if it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just promised
Safeeya Pirani, March 2015