Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, UK, Zara Richards is an established professional dancer and choreographer with over 17 years of experience working across the UK, Europe and the United States.
A family of dancers
Dance has always been a huge part of Zara’s life. Coming from a family of dancers, movement and performance are firmly rooted in her background. Her father was a professional tap dancer, while her grandparents were ballroom champions, giving Zara a strong connection to dance from an early age.
Competing, then working at sixteen
Growing up, Zara trained extensively and competed at a high level in dance competitions, developing the performance quality, discipline and versatility that would later shape her professional career. At just 16 years old, Zara began working professionally, dancing and teaching for Disney Channel — marking the beginning of what would become a long-standing career within the entertainment and dance industry.
Turning a vision into choreography
Throughout her career, Zara has worked with a wide range of artists, creatives and productions internationally. As a choreographer, she has a natural ability to understand an artist or creative director’s vision and transform it into dynamic choreography for live performances, stage productions and touring shows.
Known for her versatility and creative approach, Zara specialises in multiple dance styles, enabling her to bring a broad range of movement, influences and ideas to every project. Her professional development has also taken her internationally, including training in Los Angeles and New York, and she continues to invest in her craft and stay connected to the ever-evolving dance industry.
Her own academy, since 2013
Alongside her professional career, Zara has been running her own dance academy since 2013, teaching, mentoring and developing dancers from the age of three through to adults. Her extensive experience working with young people has shaped her into a patient, adaptable and inclusive teacher and choreographer, with experience supporting dancers with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and individuals with varying abilities and learning needs.
Reading the performer in front of her
One of Zara’s strengths is her ability to recognise what works for each individual performer. Whether she is working with a professional artist, emerging talent or young dancer, she understands how to adapt movement and choreography while maintaining the integrity of the overall creative vision.
Zara thrives on new challenges, collaboration and creativity. Whether stepping onto the stage as a professional dancer or taking the lead creatively as a choreographer, she brings experience, versatility, patience and a genuine passion for transforming ideas into memorable moments through movement.
Eleven styles, one eye
