Ifunanya

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The Beginnings

In 2017, my dance journey kicked off with Salsa classes at the renowned Salsadancers school. Eager to expand my repertoire, I delved into various Latin styles such as reggaeton, rumba, and bachata through workshops and intensive training. This led me to join both a reggaeton and a rumba showgroup, where I gained invaluable experience performing on stages across the globe. These experiences not only broadened my dance skills but also exposed me to diverse audiences and cultures, enriching my artistic growth in profound ways.
After just two years of dancing Aisha Blezinger from Abailar Dance School offered me a teaching position, marking a significant milestone early in my dance career. While I initially questioned if it was too soon, this opportunity became my driving force, pushing me to excel and never give up on my dance journey. Witnessing my students' growth and newfound self-confidence has evolved into the most rewarding aspect of my career, reminding me daily why I continue to pursue my passion for dance.

Hi!

I'm Ifunanya, a 23-year-old dancer hailing from the beautiful blend of Nigerian and Swiss heritage. Seven years ago, I stumbled upon my true passion: dance. Since that pivotal moment, I've immersed myself wholeheartedly into the world of dance, dedicating my time, energy, and resources to honing my craft and pursuing a professional career.

Based in Bern, Switzerland, with striking natural blue eyes that often surprise people, I bring a unique blend of cultures and experiences to my artistry. When I'm not lost in the rhythms of Afrobeat, which happens to be my favorite music genre, I'm likely channeling my inner organizer freak, ensuring every aspect of my dance journey is finely tuned.

One of my greatest joys is making people feel good through my performances and interactions. Join me as I share snippets of my journey, including the various jobs and experiences that have shaped my growth as a dancer and a person.

Education

Over time, I felt a deep hunger for more in my dance journey. This drive led me to delve into the commercial scene of dance styles, where I sought to learn from the best in the industry. Determined to elevate my skills, I embarked on a transformative journey to Los Angeles and NYC, immersing myself in a six-month training program with renowned choreographers such as Danielle Polanco, Sabina Lundgren, Jojo Gomez, Olivia Cipolla, and other incredibly inspiring and experienced dancers.

This experience solidified my intentions and focused my efforts on honing my expertise in heels dance, Afro, and street jazz styles. The knowledge and insights gained from this immersive training have been invaluable, shaping me into a more versatile and accomplished dancer ready to take on new challenges and creative endeavors.

Creative Director and Leader

Realizing my desire to be more than just a dancer, I aimed to become an inspiration and create a space where people could embrace their true selves and feel cherished for it. Additionally, I wanted to bring my artistic vision to life as a choreographer and creative director.

In 2022, I took a significant step by founding my own showgroup, Mariposa. This decision has proven to be the best I've ever made. Together, we've embarked on numerous projects, honed our mindsets, and even collaborated on videoshoots with underground artists. Presently, we are actively pursuing more opportunities, and this year, we were fortunate to perform at an event for SBB.

Link to videos of our Projects:

Businesswoman

Upon my return from the US, I was inspired to create more opportunities for dancers in Switzerland by bringing international teachers to share their expertise. This initiative aimed to provide a platform for dancers to learn from experienced professionals. I successfully attracted over 70 participants to my last heels festival, which was a significant achievement.

However, I felt the need to do more. In 2023, I took a bold step and founded my own dance school, UniquedanceSpace. Initially teaching my own classes, the school has now expanded to include four employees, three fully booked classes, and 50 enthusiastic students. I'm incredibly grateful for this growth and the positive impact it has had on the dance community.

In addition to managing and evolving UniquedanceSpace by adding new classes, organizing workshops, and overseeing our website and app, I remain committed to continuous education and improvement in my dancing skills. This journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I'm excited about the future opportunities to inspire and empower more dancers through UniquedanceSpace.

Jobs

While job opportunities in Switzerland are scarce, I have been fortunate to have some remarkable experiences in my dance journey. However, my aspiration is to expand my presence in countries like London or Madrid, where opportunities are abundant.

Among my memorable experiences, here are my top favorite jobs:

2022: Teaching my own choreography in New York, a milestone that allowed me to showcase my creativity and share my passion with dancers in a vibrant dance scene.
2023-2024: Serving as a background dancer and Choreographer for the artist Nicky B Fly, performing on international stages and contributing to the artist's captivating performances.
Choregraphing for the Musivideo "Zu Spät" from the artist Adela. Also beeing the creative director for her movements. That was a true dream.
2024: Participating as a dancer in Muvunys' music video, which stands out as my favorite job to date. This project not only allowed me to express myself artistically but also provided a platform to collaborate with talented professionals in the music industry.
2024: Choreographer and Dancer for the Swiss Artist Naveni, at the Gurtenfestival and Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland.
2024: Got accepted in the Zinarts Agency in London, who focus on mainly Heels and Afro Jobs and are one of the biggest Agency's in Europe for that Genre.

I'm positive that more Jobs are waiting for me. And i'm very gratetful for my journey.