Haven — Kizomba and Tarraxo Dance Studio in Amsterdam East

I'm a dance instructor with 20 years of teaching experience. My strongest value is that there is space for EVERYONE. In my classes, you are seen as an equal, and I'm honored to guide you in your self-exploration. Hiphop taught me the power of Each One Teach One. Dancehall unlocked my Raw & Unapologetic energy. Waacking gifted me Grace & Dramatic expressions. Kizomba awakened my Femininity, Elegance, & Creativity. You are unique, no matter your dance background..

I'm Fayyaz, a professional dance instructor, event organizer, and co-founder of Haven. My journey with partner dancing started long before the studio walls went up. Over the years, I've grown from a passionate social dancer into an instructor who teaches weekly classes, facilitates workshops, and organizes events that bring communities together on and off the dance floor. Beyond the classes, I'm deeply invested in building a thriving dance community in Amsterdam — through social events, weekenders, and festivals that celebrate the culture behind the music.

Kizomba is a partner dance and music genre that originated in Angola in the early 1980s, born from a fusion of Semba — a traditional Angolan dance — with Caribbean Zouk rhythms and other African influences. The word "Kizomba" itself means "party" or "celebration" in Kimbundu, one of Angola's native languages. Musically, it is defined by slow, smooth, and deeply melodic rhythms that invite the body to move with fluidity and intention. As a dance, Kizomba is characterized by a close embrace, subtle footwork, hip movements, and an almost meditative connection between partners — where communication happens not through words, but through weight, touch, and breath. From the streets of Luanda, it spread to Lisbon and from there to the rest of the world, evolving into one of the most beloved social dances globally today.

Tarraxo is a partner dance and music style rooted in the Angolan tradition of Tarraxinha — itself born from slowed-down Kuduro rhythms in the early 2000s. The music evolved in Lisbon's Afro-Portuguese communities in the early 2010s, characterized by heavy, syncopated basslines and a raw, rhythmic intensity. The dance form that emerged from it in Europe is known for deep body isolations, staccato movements, grounded footwork, and an intimate dialogue between partners — making it one of the most expressive and freest forms of partner dancing in the Kizomba family. Unlike more structured dance styles, Tarraxo embraces musicality, dissociation, and a deep sensitivity to your partner — less about choreography, more about connection