Sonia Sabri Company

What Sonia Sabri Company does

Sonia Sabri Company (SSCo) is a Birmingham-based performing arts organisation founded in 2002 by Sonia Sabri MBE and internationally acclaimed Tabla Maestro Sarvar Sabri. The company creates, tours, and teaches South Asian dance (Kathak) and Indian classical music, operating as an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation since 2018 and the first British Asian female-led organisation to hold this status. It serves a diversified audience spanning individual learners, primary and secondary schools, universities, healthcare and elder-care settings, arts venues and festivals, and major event clients such as The Hundred cricket tournament and the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Its core product portfolio includes award-winning touring productions (Mughal Miniatures outdoor series, Roshni, NIDA, Same Same...But Different), termly educational classes in Kathak, Tabla, Indian Singing, and Classical Bollywood delivered in Birmingham, Newcastle, Walsall, and online, plus participatory workshops in dance, music, and visual arts. Underlying capability is the Lucknow Gharana Kathak lineage combined with pioneering production formats (mask-work, puppetry, digital, walkabout), bespoke Mughal-inspired costume design, and dedicated youth ensembles (South Asian Music Youth Ensembles, Kathakaars dance troupe) that form an artist development pipeline.

The business model is a hybrid of earned and grant income: recurring class fees (termly subscription), performance and workshop fees (professional services), bespoke commissioned productions for venues and major events, and core Arts Council England NPO funding supplemented by project grants from local authorities and charitable funders. In 2024-25 the company delivered 186 performances to 48,971 audience members, 115 workshops to 13,053 participants, and 469 classes to 427 students across 100 organisations and 52 schools.

Name

Sonia Sabri Company

Legal name

Sonia Sabri Company

Website

https://ssco.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Sonia Sabri Company is a Birmingham-based performing arts organisation that creates, tours, and teaches South Asian dance (Kathak) and Indian classical music through touring productions, termly classes, workshops, and community programmes for schools, healthcare settings, arts venues, and major event clients across the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Services

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Musical Groups and Artists (71113)

akta.pro primary industry

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Dance Competitions & Showcases (Non-Esports) (MPAGADAH), Arts & Crafts Workshops (Painting, Pottery, Ceramics, Sculpture) (THAJAKAA)

Keywords

• South Asian dance
• Indian classical music
• Performing arts productions
• Cultural education programs
• Community dance workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

Birmingham

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Class Fees: Termly programme classes in Kathak, Tabla, Indian Singing, Classical Bollywood, and Indian Dance for Kids generate revenue from participant fees. Classes available in-person (Birmingham, Newcastle, Walsall) and online.
2. Performance and Workshop Fees: Revenue from ticket sales for theatre and venue performances, and fees for workshops delivered to schools, community groups, and organisations.
3. Commissioned Productions: Income from commissioned performances such as The Hundred cricket tournament opening ceremonies, Birmingham Weekender, and partnerships with venues and festivals.
4. Arts Council England NPO Funding: As an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation since 2018, the company receives regular funding to support productions, community programmes, and operations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion4 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sonia Sabri Company creates and tours South Asian dance and music productions, and runs a portfolio of termly classes, workshops, youth ensembles and community programmes. Offerings include touring productions (Mughal Miniatures, Roshni, NIDA), weekly classes in Kathak, Tabla, Indian Singing, Classical Bollywood and Indian Dance for Kids, plus participatory programmes for schools, community groups and healthcare settings. The company is supported by Arts Council England NPO funding and serves audiences across the UK and internationally.

Product overview

Sonia Sabri Company (SSCo) is a Birmingham-based performing arts organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of South Asian dance and music products and services. The core offerings include award-winning touring productions (Mughal Miniatures, Roshni) rooted in Kathak and Indian classical music with contemporary influences; a diverse educational programme of classes in Kathak, Tabla, Indian Singing, and Classical Bollywood; youth ensembles and performance troupes (Kathakaars, South Asian Music Youth Ensemble); participatory workshops in dance, music, and visual arts for schools and communities; and healthcare/elder engagement programmes. The company provides the complete spectrum from professional performances to beginner-level community participation, supported by an annual showcase (Akaar) and talent development initiatives including the Future Dance Leaders Apprenticeship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Roshni Award-winning Kathak dance production with live music that tours internationally to theatres, arts centres and festivals.
• Mughal Miniatures Award-winning outdoor touring production series inspired by traditional Indian and Persian miniature paintings from the Mughal era, featuring five distinct shows including walkabout versions. Toured internationally to theatres, arts centres, festivals, and unconventional spaces.
• NIDA Current touring production by Sonia Sabri Company, presented alongside Roshni and Mughal Miniatures in the company's current repertoire.
• Kathak Classes Termly classical Indian Kathak dance classes suitable for all ages and abilities, taught in Birmingham, Newcastle, and online, rooted in the Lucknow Gharana tradition.
• Tabla Classes Termly Indian classical percussion (tabla) classes taught in Birmingham for all skill levels.
• Indian Singing Classes Vocal training in Indian classical music traditions, offered in Birmingham and Walsall.
• Classical Bollywood Classes Online dance classes blending Bollywood choreography with Kathak and South Asian folk dance elements, available globally.
• Indian Dance for Kids Classes South Asian dance classes designed for children, taught in Birmingham as part of SSCo's termly programme.
• South Asian Music Youth Ensembles Weekly youth ensembles providing performance opportunities for young musicians playing South Asian instruments, offered in Solihull and at the University of Birmingham.
• Akaar Annual Showcase Annual student showcase celebrating South Asian arts and culture, featuring performances by students across all SSCo disciplines including dance and music.
• Kathakaars Dance Troupe SSCo's dedicated dance troupe of advanced Kathak students and early-career dance artists, mentored by Sonia Sabri MBE, performing traditional Kathak pieces, Indian folk dances, and new choreography across the UK.
• Dance Workshops Artist-led workshops exploring Kathak dance for schools, community groups, and HE/FE establishments, including GCSE/A-Level dance support, Kathak taster days, and intensive programmes.
• Music Workshops Workshops introducing Indian classical instruments (tabla, sitar, harmonium), compositions, ragas, and global music traditions, including Indian Classical Music, Global Music, and teacher CPD sessions.
• Visual Arts Workshops Artist-led workshops exploring Indian miniature paintings, Mughal-inspired crafts, Rangoli, block printing, lantern making, Mehndi art, and traditional bookbinding.
• After School Clubs South Asian dance and music clubs for primary and secondary schools, taught by experienced practicing artists with Enhanced DBS clearance; some funded by grants such as Warwick District Council.
• Healthcare & Elders Performances Mini performances and interactive sessions tailored for hospital wards, care homes, and day centres, including sessions for patients with Dementia and Parkinson's.
• CLASP Training Programme National training programme for library workers using Kathak tools to support literacy development.

Quantifiable outcome

• 48,971 audience members across 186 performances in 2024-25
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers9 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Without WallscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWithout Walls supported Mughal Miniatures production. Partnership for outdoor touring circuit and co-production of hit outdoor performance series.
• ApplausecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of Mughal Miniatures series. Partnership for touring productions to venues across the UK.
• Brighton FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of Mughal Miniatures production. Major arts festival partnership for touring and commissioning.
• Certain BlackscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of Mughal Miniatures. Partnership for outdoor arts production development.
• Hat FaircoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-commissioner of Mughal Miniatures. UK's oldest outdoor arts festival partnership.
• Birmingham HippodromecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProducing partner for Birmingham Weekender and commissioned Sharing the Light (2022) mass outdoor production. Major venue and arts organisation partnership in Birmingham.
• Birmingham Museums TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Mughal Miniatures at Aston Hall celebrating South Asian Heritage Month. Venue partnership for cultural events at historic sites.
• Solihull MusiccoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to deliver South Asian Music Youth Ensemble in Solihull. Weekly rehearsals and performance opportunities for young musicians aged 10-18.
• University of BirminghamcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with University Music Department to deliver South Asian Music Ensemble. Rehearsals led by Sarvar Sabri with guest coaches. Ensemble open to students, staff, and community.
• The Hundred Cricket TournamentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommissioned to create opening ceremony performances for men's and women's matches at Edgbaston Stadium. Head-hunted by production team with Olympics and Commonwealth Games portfolio.
• MotionhousecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-production partner for Wondrous Stories large-scale outdoor production. Established dance company partnership for major outdoor work.
• Alzheimer's Solihull CaféminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare partnership for elder care programmes including those with Dementia.
• Apna GharminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare and community partnership for South Asian arts experiences.
• Black Country TouringminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTouring partnership for healthcare and community performances.
• People DancingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for community dance and elder care programmes.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Akademi: London-based UK South Asian dance company producing contemporary Kathak and Bharatanatyam work, touring to theatres and festivals. Closest direct comparator to SSCo given overlapping South Asian dance lineage, educational programmes, and touring production model.
• Motionhouse: Warwickshire-based contemporary dance company and SSCo's co-production partner on Wondrous Stories. Closely comparable on large-scale outdoor touring work and family-audience programming.
• Pagrav Dance Company: London-based Kathak company founded by Urja Desai Thakore, also working within the Kathak tradition. Direct competitor within UK Kathak performance and education space.
• Nutkhut: UK company producing South Asian-influenced dance, theatre and outdoor performance, including co-commissioned outdoor work. Comparable on touring festival-circuit productions and South Asian arts positioning.
• Phoenix Dance Theatre: Leeds-based contemporary dance company producing touring productions and learning programmes. Comparable UK dance company structure with mixed performance, education, and participation arms.
• Rifco Arts: UK South Asian-led performing arts company producing theatre and live work touring to regional venues. Comparable in mission, audience, and Arts Council-funded touring model targeting British Asian communities.

Regional players

• Birmingham Royal Ballet: The UK's leading classical ballet company, based at Birmingham Hippodrome. Operates in SSCo's home city with overlapping audiences, venues, and partnerships.
• Dance City: Newcastle-based dance development organisation running classes, participation programmes, and touring productions. Comparable educational/class offering, including in the same Newcastle market SSCo serves.

Others

• South Asian Dance Alliance: UK-wide advocacy and resource body for South Asian dance, supporting sector development. Thematically aligned with SSCo's mission and useful comparison as a sector body rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• Kala Sangam: Bradford-based South Asian arts centre presenting and producing South Asian dance and music. Wider remit as venue plus producing house but directly relevant as a South Asian dance presenter/peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/SoniaSabriCo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@soniasabricompany
• Facebookfacebook.com/soniasabricompany
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sonia-sabri-company
• Instagraminstagram.com/soniasabrico
• TikToktiktok.com/@soniasabrico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Sonia Sabri Company