“DRUM ROLL PLEASE…” 11 Questions with Iggy: The Heart Behind DanceLab Academy Kids (Nairobi, Kenya)

An interview by the Aragon Foundation

When you meet Ignatius Kirimi Mwebia—better known as Iggy—you meet not just a dancer, but a storyteller, a mentor, and a visionary reshaping Nairobi’s dance landscape. As co-founder of Dance Lab Academy and Dance Lab Academy Kids, Iggy has built a space where creativity, discipline, and community thrive.

We sat down with him to learn about his journey, the mission behind his work, and his dreams for the future.

1. Can you share your journey—how did you first fall in love with dance, and what led you to become a choreographer in Nairobi?

My name is Ignatius Kirimi Mwebia, though most people know me as Iggy. I grew up in a remote village in Jikaze, Nyeri, without access to electricity or the internet. But I always loved music. Radio was my only connection to songs.

Everything changed when my family got a small television. I discovered a Kenyan dance show called Sakata, and immediately knew—that was what I wanted to do. But I had no access to classes or tutorials.

One day, I met some acrobats and asked them to teach me what they knew. It wasn’t dance, but it was the closest thing. Later in high school, I finally met dancers from Nairobi who introduced me to the idea that dance could be a profession. A seed was planted.

My only way to reach Nairobi was to study hard, get good grades, and secure government sponsorship for university. It worked. After joining university in Nairobi, I discovered studios, dance communities, and instructors. I fell in love instantly.

Even though finances were tight, some instructors let me attend classes on payment plans. I got better. People started asking for tutorials and collaborations. I could finally teach the kind of classes I once wished for as a kid.

In my second year of university, I met another dancer and together we started Dance Lab Academy. The journey had begun.

2. What inspired you to start Dance Lab Academy, and what makes it unique in Kenya’s dance landscape?

Teaching gives me joy—it makes everything else disappear. I wanted to share the gift I was given, and create the kind of access I wished I had growing up.

Dance Lab Academy is unique because it brings everything together—different genres, experimentation, creation, and community. It’s literally a lab for dance. Our instructors are skilled and professional, and we create from the heart.

3. You’re not only the choreographer and director—you also handle all the video editing. How does wearing all these hats shape the way you tell stories through dance?

I’ve always loved film and clean, creative visuals. In the beginning, hiring videographers was too expensive. To sustain the academy, I had to learn editing myself—mostly through YouTube tutorials.

I saved up from classes and bought an entry-level desktop. It wasn’t perfect, but it worked. Wearing all these hats taught me discipline, sacrifice, commitment, and resilience. I don’t compromise on quality. For me, it’s excellence only. ✨

4. Why was it important for you to create Dance Lab Academy Kids, and what gap does it fill?

Growing up, I didn’t have access to dance programs. I want to give kids today what I never had. Also, the world is changing fast. Many young people—especially those living in the slums without guidance—struggle to survive past 25.

With this program, we can mentor and monitor kids, helping them grow into productive, self-sustaining citizens.

5. Dance Lab Academy Kids is donation-based. What motivated this decision, and what impact does it have?

Finances have always been a challenge. Making the program donation-based eases the burden on both us and the children. It gives them a chance at a better future—a chance to support themselves and their families, and to become productive members of society.

6. What do the kids gain from dance beyond the movement? What changes have you seen in them?

They learn discipline, timekeeping, confidence, teamwork, and how to navigate life. Some children arrive shy and unsure, but even after just three weeks, you can see their dedication. Their confidence is slowly growing.

I hope to add more programs in the future—like financial literacy—so they learn how to use resources well and become sustainable.

7. Nairobi has a powerful creative culture. How does the city influence your style and teaching?

Nairobi is beautifully diverse. People come from different cultures with different styles and genres. I try to incorporate a little of everything—while keeping it beautiful. My goal is to build a world-class dance space where anyone from anywhere can enjoy what they love.

8. What’s the biggest challenge in running a dance program—and what keeps you going?

At first, the biggest challenges were finances and unpredictable studio owners—sometimes we’d pay for a space only to find it double-booked.

Today, my biggest challenge is still space. I dream of owning a studio where we can teach anytime. This would also help other dancers and instructors access affordable space for their own classes.

9. Can you share a moment that reminded you why this work is worth doing?

I teach students from ages 6 to 75. This year, I taught a client over 65 who took on intense sessions and performed beautifully. Watching them enjoy movement at that age inspired me deeply. It reminded me why we started—to promote health, joy, and longevity. Being fit doesn’t have to be boring. ✨

10. How do you approach blending traditional African movement with contemporary dance?

It’s a careful blend. You must maintain the integrity of each style while merging them. Sometimes there’s resistance from creators of certain genres, but that’s part of the challenge.

My goal is to birth new, beautiful styles—maybe even a new dance genre recognized worldwide one day. It really feels like working in a lab, mixing elements to see what magic appears.

11. What are your dreams for the future of Dance Lab Academy and Dance Lab Academy Kids, and how can people support your vision?

I want these brands to grow and change lives—to feed families, create opportunities, and mentor kids into honest, hardworking adults. I dream of having Dance Lab franchises across Kenya, Africa, and eventually the world.

To share the joy of dance with people of all cultures—that’s the vision. And with support, we can make it global. 🙏🤍