Apasionado Dance

Apasionado Dance teaches partner dances from the Americas with an emphasis on cultural history, authentic technique, and connection. Founded by Matías Jonsson and Irina, instructors who met through dancing and share a passion for restoring the relationships between partner dances and their originating cultures.

Matías discovered dancing at 19 through the Carnegie Mellon University Ballroom Dance Club. He studied Physics, Computer Science, and Quantum Computing at Carnegie Mellon but found the complexity of dance deeply compelling. Irina began dancing at age 6 in Philadelphia under world champion Inna Ivanenko. She trained extensively in International style Latin and Ballroom, becoming a USADance National Champion and USA representative to the WDSF World Championships. Matías and Irina started dancing together in 2021.

The studio teaches group classes in Ballroom (American Waltz, Foxtrot, Tango), Latin (Cuban Bolero, American Rumba, Cuban Rueda de Casino, Son Cubano, Chachachá), and Swing (Lindy Hop, East Coast Swing). Classes are structured as 4-week progressive series for beginners, with level-specific and improvisation sessions for advancing students. No partner is required. Group classes are held at Wightman School Community Center (Studio 306 and Ballroom) at 5604 Solway Street, Floor 3, Pittsburgh, PA 15217 (Squirrel Hill), and at Crossbody Dance and Movement downtown. Drop-in classes welcome.

Private lessons are available at all levels: from absolute beginners to competitive dancers. Pricing runs from $60 for a first lesson (25% off) to $80 per hour, with discounted rates for blocks of five or ten lessons. The studio specialises in bespoke wedding first dance instruction. Packages range from The Bare Essentials (two 1-hour lessons, $200) through the Standard Package (five lessons with choreography, entrance, and a trick, $475) to Shock Your Family (ten lessons with 3–4 minutes of fully customised choreography, $900). Parent-dances are also available.

Apasionado runs the Apasionado Dance Club, which hosts social dances including Frosty Sundays (Sundays at 6pm) and the 4th Saturday Dance (Saturdays at 7pm) at Wightman Ballroom, with drop-in group lessons before the social dancing. The studio has performed Son Cubano, Latin Hustle, Chachachá, Jive, Maxixe-style Samba, and International Rumba at venues across Pittsburgh, and offers booking for private events. The studio also hosts a Shared Origins Series that explores how dances relate to one another through history and shared movements.

Classes are welcoming to drop-ins and beginners. You do not need a partner. Instruction covers both technique and the cultural history behind each dance style. Use the door phone (code 126, "APASIONADO" in directory) to enter the studio at Wightman School Community Center.

Matías Jonsson studied Physics, Computer Science, and Quantum Computing at Carnegie Mellon University before committing fully to dance. Irina trained under world champion Inna Ivanenko from age 6, became a USADance National Champion, and represented the USA at the WDSF World Championships. Together they teach with emphasis on connection, authenticity, and natural movement informed by dance history.

All group classes are beginner-friendly and require no partner. Private lessons start at absolute beginner level.