Dance entered my life in 2007 when I first stepped into a dance school with two friends who wanted to take lessons themselves. My intention was simply to support my friends. However, I got the chance to join in myself, and I wanted more!

Dance means a lot to me. My goal is to be the best version of myself. Dance helps me immensely with this because it gives me the freedom to express myself, both through dance and in daily life. That is why it is one of the most important things in my life.

I started teaching at Mistura Movement because I felt a growing passion for the style of Mistura Movement. I believed in its vision and felt at home there. Selwin and Suleika also believed in me and saw potential, inviting me to join the teaching team.

Mistura Movement is more than just a dance school. It is a community where I feel a family atmosphere. There is a friendly and positive vibe, from eager learners to dedicated enthusiasts. It is a place where people come together to share the same passion for music and dance, and that is why I love teaching there.

Dance to express, not to impress, because we all dance out of passion and because we enjoy it. Let’s inspire, support, and witness each other’s growth beyond our comfort zones. Above all, fun is the key to success!

Santosh in five words: enthusiastic, patient, positive, perfectionist, passionate.

I started dancing at a young age and over the years I explored which style suits me best. For me, dance is a major outlet, both in joyful and challenging times. Beyond movement and having fun, dance is a beautiful way to connect people and share passion.

I began at Mistura Movement as a substitute teacher for the Afro and Dancehall classes. When Suleika went on maternity leave, I took over her Dancehall classes and have been here ever since.

In the dance world, people often compare themselves to others, focusing on being better than the person next to them. This can make it easy to forget to simply enjoy what you’re doing as a dancer. At Mistura Movement, the focus is on fun and encouraging one another. There is a positive and safe atmosphere where everyone is welcome to be themselves. This aligns perfectly with who I am, and that is why I love teaching at Mistura Movement.

Besides learning new steps or choreographies, I find it very important that everyone learns to express their own feelings through dance and discover their own movement. This is what I aim to pass on to everyone who attends my classes.

Katarina in five words: energetic, positive, loving, a little bit crazy, curious.

I started dancing when I was very young and explored several styles, from ballet as a little girl to jazz, street dance, and hip hop later on. Unfortunately, due to a busy period of studying and irregular work hours, I had to stop dancing, but fortunately, I picked it up again at Mistura!

My first trial class at Mistura was an Afro class. I had no prior experience with Afro dance, but I was instantly hooked. I was also really nervous to take a trial class on my own, but I immediately felt at ease and so welcome with the Mistura family.

Dancing at Mistura means freedom for me, letting go of the daily routine, and, as I mentioned before, it truly feels like being part of a close-knit crew. Even though I continuously learn a lot, the focus is always on having fun and being yourself.

Beau in five words: assertive, cheerful, energetic, open, and honest.

My mother always says, "you started dancing before you could even walk," picturing me quietly bouncing to the music in my stroller. Before I turned four, she enrolled me in ballet classes, which I continued until I was twelve at various dance schools in The Hague. Beyond ballet, I explored many styles as a child and young adult: jazz ballet, tap dance, street dance, hip hop, modern, and salsa. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, but I ultimately pursued a degree in medicine. At the beginning of my studies, I completely stopped taking dance classes.

After several busy years of studying, I wanted to start dancing again, but it took me some effort to find a fun and good dance school. Then I ran into an old friend I had danced with before. She encouraged me to try Mistura Movement. Luckily, the following week was a trial class week, where I could try out several different classes. The rest is history: I joined, dove in fully, and initially took every class available because I loved it so much! That’s when I realized how much I had missed dancing and how important it is to me.

One of the keys to having fun is a relaxed atmosphere. You’ll find that at Mistura Movement: a warm, welcoming environment where you feel safe, comfortable, and truly at ease. On top of that, it’s incredibly fun!

A relaxed and safe environment naturally leads to personal growth, both within dance and beyond. This also aligns with my personality. I started as an enthusiastic, eager-to-learn student who attended every class, and now I am one of Mistura’s instructors. It is only getting better!

Over the past few years, as I’ve immersed myself more in dance, I’ve realized that dance defines me: it is who I am. Dance is not only a way to move and discover what your body is capable of, constantly surprising you and offering room for growth, but it is also a form of expressing emotion and creativity where your unique personality shines through. The beauty is that through this expression, you naturally share it with others.

Yosine in five words: caring, empathetic, optimistic, passionate, philosophical

I started dancing in 2020, even though I had little experience. I discovered Mistura and immediately felt a connection. I wanted to dance and loved learning new steps and movements. The atmosphere was amazing, and I had a great time.

Dancing at Mistura means being able to express yourself in a safe and supportive environment. It is a place where you are free to be yourself, express your creativity, and have fun.

I see dance as a form of expression and an escape from reality. It gives me the opportunity to recharge with the energy and vibe of the lively atmosphere at Mistura. Dancing allows me to let my emotions and creativity flow freely.

Firas in five words: helpful, energetic, patient, persistent, creative

My dance journey began the moment I could walk. I grew up surrounded by dance and music. Every morning while getting ready for school, music would be playing, in all styles — from Hip Hop to R&B, Reggae, and Motown. After school, I would put on my nicest clothes, turn on the radio, and dance. That habit has never left me!

At the age of six, I started classical dance. Later, I spent years dancing Hip Hop, which made me feel truly free and full of energy. I also took musical theatre classes, learning a variety of styles including jazz and modern.

But African dance… African dance stole my heart! I discovered this when I started dancing at Mistura Movement in classes with Santosh and Suleika. Both the music and the dance give me feelings of joy, positivity, togetherness, energy, and freedom. What makes Mistura so special is the importance placed on sharing this feeling with everyone who dances and comes to dance here. We highly value community, connection, and inclusivity, but most importantly, safety! Everyone is seen, and everyone is welcome to be themselves in their own way.

Sahana in five words: empathetic, friendly, positive, resilient, calm

When I was younger, I used to imitate music programs like TMF and The Box. I would pretend to be the VJ (presenter) and introduce myself as the “artist,” after which I would start singing and dancing to Backstreet Boys and Spice Girls. I was born and raised in Drenthe, where there was only one dance school. Together with a friend, I took classes there. I think I was about nine years old. We would perform with the dance school during local Drenthe celebrations for the village. I loved it!

I don’t remember why I stopped, but I didn’t dance for many years. Until, at 27, I moved to China and decided to take dance classes again. There, I attended various classes in Dancehall, Jazz, and even Chinese Traditional Dance. I often found myself in classes with 40 other students, the atmosphere sometimes strict and disciplined. Most of the time, I couldn’t understand what the instructors were saying, but I learned a lot.

Eventually, I was asked to teach my own dance classes. “Me? Huh, but I’m not a professional at all,” I said. “It doesn’t matter, you’re a foreigner and that attracts people.” Ah, so that’s how it works. I thought, “Well, why not.” Every Tuesday I would teach a class, without any help, certificates, or inspiration. I often just improvised, but it was an incredibly fun experience to teach adults in a million-person city who didn’t speak any English. I did this for about eight months, then moved to another city. After that, I didn’t dance for another year.

In November 2022, I returned to the Netherlands, living in The Hague for the first time. After two months, I wanted to dance again. That’s how I ended up at Mistura Movement! From the very beginning, I was welcomed with so much love. There is always an open atmosphere from the instructors, and a lot of support among everyone. I especially loved the relaxed “it’s all good” vibe. I learned not to be too hard on myself and to enjoy dancing, regardless of whether I execute every move perfectly.

Dance means, for me:

• Having fun with yourself and others

• Learning fun and challenging steps

• Embracing and enjoying the growth you experience as a dancer

• Sweating a lot!

• Doing what you can while still challenging yourself

Sharona in five words: creative, friendly, social, committed, attentive