Originally a gymnast, Shahla trained at the London Contemporary Dance School gaining a First Class (Hons) Degree and an invitation to join the postgraduate performance group, eDge. She is a freelance dancer, teacher, choreographer and a qualified yoga and Pilates instructor. Recent projects include Assistant Choreographer to Jonathan Lunn, choreographing for youth dance companies featured within the UK tour of Reading Room; and Assistant Choreographer for Castor et Pollux at the Dutch National Opera.

Whilst at L.C.D.S Shahla was a member of the National Youth Dance Company. Since graduation she has worked with a number of choreographers and dance companies including: Mark Bruce, Ingrid Wantoch von Rekowski, Sarah Fahie, Carole Meier, Liz Lea, Duncan Macfarland, Rashpal Singh Bansal, Cie Yvann Alexandre. Opera work includes Dutch National Opera, Vlaamse Opera, Royal Opera House, Glyndebourne Festival Opera and Opera North.