AFIWI GROOVE SCHOOL ( About Us)
We are Durham Region’s award-winning creative and performing arts school, focusing on artistic genres of the African Diaspora as a tool for social change and community development. Afiwi Groove School is a leader in our community for providing programming for all ages that promotes positive self-esteem, confidence, and mental wellness while educating and connecting participants to the vibrant and rich culture of the African Diaspora.
ABOUT US (History)
AFIWI GROOVE SCHOOL, based in the Durham Region, was established in 2013. Our programs promote positive self-esteem, confidence and an active lifestyle while educating and connecting participants to arts and culture of the African Diaspora. We offer a variety of artistic classes to children and youth ages 3-34 years old including; African Djembe drumming instruction, a theatrical program and a Leadership program for teens. We also offer recreational African and fitness dance classes for adults.
Afiwi Groove is the creation of Jamaican born, Sebrina “Sanaaj Mirrie” Jackson. In 2008, Sanaaj created the concept for Afiwi Groove Dance School after establishing Afiwi International, a company that promotes the business of arts, culture and community development. The vision was to have a cultural arts space that promotes leadership skills and empowerment for Black youth in the Durham community. Afiwi Groove uses cultural arts to create social change and produce better, more socially conscious and connected citizens in the wider Canadian society. The name “Afiwi” comes from the Jamaican dialect, Patois. It means, “belonging to us” or “ours”. This term is used to signify that the way we dance and express ourselves comes directly from our historical culture and pays homage to our ancestors and those who have paved the way before us.
Afiwi Groove students have performed at numerous public events and festivals throughout Durham Region and the Greater Toronto Area. The organization hosts annual recitals that are open to the public. These recitals bring family, peers, and the community together, where young dancers and drummers are given opportunities to display their talents and build self-confidence through stage performance. Awards are also presented to students for various accomplishments and successfully attained goals. Afiwi Groove School was the first in Ajax to develop a performing arts group specific to the African Diaspora. The school also prides itself as an inclusive space that welcomes members of the community of all diversities and abilities. Afiwi Groove School has also incorporated the West African Djembe hand drumming to promote positive mental health and wellness for children and youth as they learn more about African culture and heritage. The Djembe drum is native to West Africa and means “The Talking Drum”. Another facet of the addition of drumming is that through Afiwi Groove School’s community, businesses have received training through the school for leadership and teamwork building using African drumming and dancing.
The dance and drum instruction team at Afiwi Groove are seasoned dancers and drummers from West Africa and the Caribbean. They have decades of combined training, performing, and teaching experience in various drumming and dance styles, from Hip Hop and South American variations to Afro-Caribbean.
