About Us
Who We Are
IMARA was founded by Maria Mvungi in 2018 after she embarked on a solo dance journey. Missing a team and wanting to share her love for dance, she started a performance course in 2018. The course participants quickly bonded and wanted to carry on with the synergy of the group – hence IMARA was birthed. Although a young team, IMARA is known for their unique and fresh take on choreography. IMARA has also performed at various venues and socials in Cape Town, as well as the Johannesburg Afro-Latin festival and Angola International Salsa and Kizomba Congress.
She is an African solo female Salsa performer with her solo debut at the Johannesburg Afro-Latin festival in March 2018. She has also performed and/or taught at festivals such as the Fujairah Latin Festival in the UAE, Machweo Festival in Kenya, Congresso Internacional Salsa & Kizomba Angola, Egypt International Dance Congress, Mother City Dance Festival Cape Town, LA Salsa Festival in the Mambo Kings (Eddie Torres) Challenge, as well as the Candela Fridays social in New York.
Meet Maria
Maria’s love for dance started with Hip-hop, Dancehall, Afro-house and picked up Bachata, Kizomba, and Salsa along her journey. In 2013, she joined Alisar Dance Company to start the ‘Bachata Me Crazy’ series in Cape Town South Africa. In 2014, Maria helped launch the first Island Touch Ladies & Co-ed Teams in South Africa. The teams performed at the Mzansi Cape Town Salsa Festival, and she also danced alongside Karel Flores in her lady's boot camp performance. In 2017 she was on the line-up of instructors at the 13th El Sol Warsaw Salsa Festival. In that same year, she joined Noviti Dance Project which brought together exceptional local and international professional-amateur dancers.
Rewarding Journey
IMARA is not just an experience, but a rewarding journey of growth and self-discovery through movement and rhythm.
Dance Team
Afro-Latin dance team with Afro and urban influences.
Technique & Heritage
Technique, with style grounded in their African heritage.
Active Wear
Add comfort and style to your active wear.