Hey Nino, welcome to Meu Semba and thanks for the time. So, tell us, how did you get into dancing?
I’ve known about Kizomba for a long time now especially from my time living in Belgium, going to Angolan and Congolese weddings and events. When I moved to the UK 8 years ago, I decided to learn it properly to structure my dance.
What projects are you currently working on?
As Kizomba became established in west midlands and it surrounding areas, I wanted to nurture it to the next level, in a cultural way and develop a high standard of good dancers, not fusions, not any type of styles but Kizomba. In going about doing that, Kiz’xpression was born and I’m also part of the team in Coventry bringing different aspects of kizomba that people might have been oblivious to.
In addition, I also run two monthly parties called KARIBU (every first Saturday of the month) and VIAGEM (every second Saturday of the month) with the aim of bringing artists from all over the world, developing local teachers, learning from the best, bringing quality DJs that can help educate. It’s not been an easy journey but it’s worth it and I have a high expectation of what the scene should be and that’s what I want to deliver.
What’s been the most memorable moment of your journey as a dancer so far?
As a dancer, I’ll say the 2 ÁfricAdançar and the open Spain competitions, not only did it change me as a dancer but also as a man. I had to learn to know myself and my face my insecurities. ÁfricAdançar 2015 was probably the most memorable as a dancer as I had to dig deep, pull myself from any kind of deception and coming from such a place of low confidence to finish 10 out of 48 couples. Passing that trial to finish on the final stage meant the world to me, even maybe more than finishing first as I had to grow up a lot and something changed in me after that. It’s an experience I wish to all dancers and teachers.
What advice would you give to up & coming dancers looking at you for inspiration?
My advice is whatever type of dance you embrace, take time to develop because dancing is such a personal journey and reflection of oneself. Know yourself, there is no first and last, we all don’t develop at the same speed and that’s fine, everyone has their own timeline. Follow yours and develop your foundation and base, and that will make you a better person and dancer.
What can we expect from you for the rest of 2018?
There is a lot of positive things happening around me and I definitely hope to continue to showcase what I believe is right and good, developing the scene as much as I can through hard work and hopefully It leads to more exposure.