Bio - English
Isaac Gasangwa, aka Izo Dreamchaser is an educator, creator and ambassador of African cultures in Vancouver. He is the founder of Afro-Beats Van, an organization offering dance classes and performances as a way to introduce, educate and inspire Vancouverites to connect with African culture and history, as well as tackle social issues of racism and police brutality. In his own words:
I was born and raised in Rwanda. When I was growing up, people did not take dance classes or even consider dance as “Art.” Dance is in everything we do; it is a way of life.
In my late teens - after the 1994 Tutsi genocide - Rwanda and the whole of Africa changed. The internet had also arrived and developed many things, including dance.
In 2007, I started a dance group that won multiple national competitions. With this community support, I created the first dance festival in Rwanda in 2011 as well as the first dance studio in the country. To help rebuild Rwanda after the genocide, I started a dance program for underprivileged kids, and this program is still running and supporting the kids who need it most.
In 2014, I had the opportunity to move to Vancouver, Canada. Here, I was introduced to a whole new world of dance. I trained in Hip-hop, martial arts, and gymnastics. I learned English, and now speak five languages: English, French, Kinyarwanda, Swahili, Kirundi. Vancouver is genuinely every creative individual’s dream, but the lack of diversity and any African representation has been deeply unsettling for me.
In 2017, I founded and continue to direct Afrobeats Dance Van. Afrobeats was my way of offering a place to bring diversity in the dance community and the city. I wanted to feel represented with a place where my brothers and sisters could come to feel closer to home. I have created events, performances, and seminars that celebrate African dance and artists.In addition to Afrobeats Van, I also founded “Black Vancouver Artistry Night” in 2021 as an annual event to celebrate local creatives.
I’m proud to be a pioneer of African culture in Vancouver, educating the community about the histories, cultures and dances of my beloved African continent.
