JaivaHouse | Afrofusion Dance Classes

Jaiva House is a Glasgow-based dance studio run by Chinyanta, a choreographer, performer, and content creator who won the TED Africa Idea Search in 2022. The studio teaches Afrofusion and Afrobeats alongside styles including Amapiano and Ndombolo. Their approach centres on strong foundations: each class breaks down movements step-by-step, explores the origins and cultural context of the dance, and builds choreography gradually so you understand both how and why you're moving.

Classes run at two levels. Absolute Beginner suits anyone with little or no dance experience, or those who want to move at a relaxed pace. The choreography is simple with plenty of repetition. Beginner Choreography introduces more movements and pushes your skills further while staying fun and supportive. Each session starts with an energetic warm-up, moves through structured technique, and finishes with a short choreography you can take away.

The studio welcomes a mixed community: university students, young professionals, ex-ballet dancers, and complete beginners all move together in a supportive, professional environment. Classes are beginner-friendly with instructors explaining steps throughout. Students describe it as "the highlight of their week" — one participant noted "I haven't danced since I was young and was a little nervous incase I couldn't keep up, but the class is beginner friendly and everyone has been so friendly."

Jaiva House also runs online classes designed specifically for a virtual audience (not recordings of in-person sessions). These include live interactive sessions, access to all replays, a library of step-by-step foundation tutorials, and connection to a global dance community. The online offering lets you learn from anywhere in the world with the same energy and quality.

Beyond regular classes, Jaiva House hosts social outings where the community connects and dances together, and runs performances and workshops. They work with organisations including the Scottish Refugee Council, Young Women Scot, and Amina Women's Resource Centre, and offer corporate events and entertainment. Chinyanta's work has been supported by Creative Scotland, National Theatre of Scotland, The Work Room, Platform, and The Jerwood New Work Fund.

You'll start with an energetic warm-up, then learn key movements broken down step-by-step so you feel confident before putting them into a short choreography. The focus is on understanding where each move comes from and its cultural context, not just copying steps. The atmosphere is warm and inclusive, with instructors making sure everyone can keep up.

Chinyanta leads the studio. She is a choreographer, performer, content creator, and Afro dance enthusiast who won the TED Africa Idea Search in 2022, creating a TED Talk and digital dance piece on how African dance has shaped modern dance worldwide. She has worked globally from Scotland to Cape Town and Liverpool to the Edinburgh Fringe, and uses dance to support wellbeing and combat isolation.

Yes: Absolute Beginner classes are designed for those with little or no dance experience, with steps explained throughout and a supportive, friendly atmosphere.