ontmoet jouw
instructeurs
Ha Ravers!
Mijn naam is Soof, jouw enthousiaste Shuffle Dance docent en oprichter van ARA.
Sinds 2015 is Shuffle Dance een groot deel van mijn leven. Deze bruisende dansstijl maakt al jarenlang deel uit van mijn dagelijkse routine.
In 2018 vond ik mijn mede Shufflers in Nederland, wat een nieuw hoofdstuk in mijn dansavontuur opende.
Bij de Amsterdam Ravers Academy vieren we niet alleen de unieke stijl van elke danser, maar ook de kracht van verbondenheid binnen onze gezellige dansgemeenschap. Welkom bij ARA!
MARJOLEIN: I had been looking for a hobby/sport for a long time. Dancing has always been an outlet for me. But because I had not practiced sports for a long time, the threshold to do something became higher and higher. I am 38 years old and I have often thought that I might be too old to learn. This thought has kept me from doing the things I like for a long time. Last year I started watching Shuffle Dance videos on Instagram and was inspired by a number of dancers. This made me decide to look for a dance school in the area. Eventually I found a few in Amsterdam. ARA immediately stood out! And so I decided to put on my brave (dancing) shoes! And I have to say... I should have done this much sooner!! Because ARA is really unique and different from what I have experienced at other dance schools. It goes so much further than just taking a dance class (learning to dance). Of course it is optional for everyone, but what I really like is that it is also about connection. This class is very diverse with different ages and different nationalities. I experience it as a cozy and warm, safe environment to learn and to meet new people. AR is a close community with dancers from all over the world. And it feels very special to me to be part of it. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced dancer, no distinction is made. You can always learn something from each other. It feels like a new family that I have gained! As far as the lessons are concerned, there is always a relaxed atmosphere. Soof is good at explaining, is patient and super funny, which also makes the atmosphere more relaxed. She puts you at ease and is interested in what we want to learn and applies that into the classes. During the freestyle sessions it can sometimes be difficult to get out of your comfort zone, but Soof and the class give me an absolutely safe feeling to experiment with this. One of my favorite lessons was about connection. This way I get to know my fellow students better by dancing assignments together. Then I saw that everyone has the same insecurities, which made me experience it less anxious. And the less I am in my head, the better the dancing goes. And then you become more and more creative and playful. Much recommended! I don't really live nearby (an hour from Amsterdam) so the days are often long with my work, the travel time and the dance lesson. When I am very tired it is sometimes tempting to want to cancel. But I try to take as many lessons as possible. Because it genuinely makes me a happier person and I notice it immediately in my mood when I have to miss lessons. Bad day or not: I ALWAYS go home with a happy feeling!! Mentally it gives me such a huge boost that I don't mind having to travel so far. People often ask me, wouldn't you like to dance closer? But then I'm very clear; I wouldn't want any other dance family!!! ❤️
LEV: I vividly remember my first class at Amsterdam Ravers Academy — I’m looking for the entrance to the studio and then I hear electronic music blasting out of the open door. I immediately know that this is the place. I come in and the lighting is dim and colorful, people are already stretching (I was a little late, sorry!). The whole atmosphere felt like a nightclub, and that was both exciting and intimidating because I haven’t been to a lot of raves myself. During the class, however, I didn’t feel lost or like I was falling behind. The people who I didn’t even get a chance to introduce myself to were helping out and giving tips and were generally being very nice, as if us dancing there together was enough for them to feel connected to me. As I kept attending classes, I got to know the people there more and more, and the initial feeling of being intimidated is long gone. I’ve seen everyone just being a relatable person, having personal ups and downs. I’ve seen what it takes for Soof, our teacher, to keep up this spirit, community, and energy, and I can’t take it for granted. She always finds a way to make the class interesting and she listens a lot to what we want. Every one of my fellow dance mates also contributes to making the classes special by giving their energy and bringing their personality. I’m so glad I found this community, and I hope there’s a long and exciting future for it :)
TATTY: Starting this dance class at almost 35 years old was a leap into the unknown for me. It was my first ever dance course, and I felt a mix of pride and nervousness walking in—excited to take that first step, but unsure about the level I'd encounter. From that very first class, something clicked. I've improved so much—physically and mentally. My coordination and rhythm have grown, but more than that, I’ve become more confident and socially open. I've learned so many steps I never imagined I could pull off! The connection with the teacher has been absolutely incredible. She genuinely cares—not just about helping us grow as dancers, but as individuals. Her energy creates a space where progress, fun, and support go hand-in-hand. ARA is more than just a dance class, it’s a beautiful, vibrant community where everyone lifts each other up. Shuffle dance turned out to be exactly what I needed. As someone navigating the stress of launching a business, class has become my sacred space to dance my worries away. It’s intense cardio, yes, but it's also a deep emotional release that I now can’t live without. What makes ARA so special is everything that surrounds it. Beyond classes, we come together for monthly meetups—indoors or outdoors, depending on the vibe—where we talk, laugh, share a joint if that’s your thing, and dance like no one’s watching. Everyone contributes to the playlist, creating a dream-like dance experience that’s personal and collective at the same time. This isn’t just a dance class. It’s joy. It's growth. It’s therapy in motion. It’s family.
MAAIKE: Years ago a colleague showed me a Shuffle dance video. It looked super nice but I thought I wouldn't be able to do it. Years later, when things weren't going well for me, Shuffle came my way again. I followed a workshop and noticed that it was tiring but also very fun to do. Since then I have been looking for Shuffle lessons and eventually ended up at Amsterdam Ravers Academy. Super nice atmosphere and very cool that great shuffle dancers from all over the world come to give workshops! I think choreography is the best part and despite the fact that the speed is still an area to improve on and I don't manage to come every week; I notice progress. Soof puts a lot of time, energy and love into it and that is noticeable in everything. In addition, it is also a nice community where I have the feeling that everyone is welcome. An open, cheerful atmosphere where everyone always puts their best foot forward.
VENUS: It's been about two and a half months now since I joined the Amsterdam Ravers Academy and I'm honestly not being dramatic when I say it's completely changed my life. The amount of incredible people I have connected with, the amount of joy I have experienced in every single class, meet-up, workshop, you name it. Every single experience that I have had the opportunity to have thanks to Soof and the incredible space she has facilitated for people to connect and grow together as dancers has been priceless and each time I leave her lessons, I do so with a heart full of joy and gratitude, feeling like I have unlocked a little bit more of the dancer I am aiming to be. If you are looking for more than just dance classes, if you are looking for a safe space to express, connect and create, a space where you can be fully yourself while learning the beautiful art of shuffling, then look no further. Come and be a part of the amazing Ravers' family, I'm sure you won't regret it. I mean it when I say that since the very first moment I stepped foot into the studio, I felt welcomed and embraced by everyone and that is why Soof's classes have undoubtedly become one of the highlights of my week. I look forward to sharing the dancefloor with you!
MASCHA: I joined ARA after seeing people shuffling on Instagram and during a Don Diablo show. It looked so cool that I really wanted to learn it myself. Before starting, I was a little unsure if I would be too old at 47. But that turned out to be no problem at all. In fact, I wasn’t even the oldest person in my Ultra Beginners Course, which honestly surprised me. The atmosphere was amazing from the very first lesson. We learned so much in a short amount of time, and a really fun and close group was created. We enjoyed it so much that we even started training together outside of the classes. The highlight for me was seeing the whole group learn the choreography together. It was amazing to see how good it looked on video after all the practice. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone who has never danced before. I genuinely couldn’t dance at all when I started, and now I actually know the basics of shuffle dance. I never thought that would be possible!
RICHIE: A friend of mine showed me a video of her shuffle trial class with Soof, and it immediately sparked something in me. It reminded me of a time years ago when I tried to dance like the people in The Prodigy's "Everybody in the Place" music video. It looked so much fun, and I always wished I could do it. But I never managed to learn on my own. I honestly wasn't sure if I would ever be able to dance like that, but after just 6 weeks of classes with Soof, I was amazed by how much progress you can make. Especially if you practice a little between classes. Every lesson, videos are taken so you can clearly see your improvement over time, which is incredibly motivating. From the very first class, Theo and the community made me feel so welcome. We were all complete beginners, so there was never any pressure or awkwardness. Soof's cheerful and playful energy makes every class feel like a fun gathering. She encouraged me to embrace my own playful side and enjoy the learning process. You can really feel how passionate and dedicated she is. She even took the time to meet our class for an extra outdoor practice session in her own free time, which really helped create a strong bond within the group. Whenever I struggled with a move, Soof or Theo would always take the time to explain the technique slowly and clearly. That was exactly what I had been missing when I was trying to learn on my own. These classes showed me that I'm capable of much more than I ever imagined. They inspired me to keep dancing with greater confidence and, most importantly, more joy. I would recommend these classes to anyone who wants to learn how to shuffle but is being held back by self-doubt. If you don't know where to start, this is the place.
DANIQUE: Together with a friend, I wanted to try something new. He had heard about the dance classes online, which made us curious. I had never shuffled before; it looked amazing in videos, but also quite challenging. So I was definitely a little nervous before starting. During the classes, I quickly started to feel comfortable. There was space to be myself, ask questions, and learn at my own pace. We were in a small group, which was really nice. The safe and relaxed atmosphere made it much easier to learn, experiment, and try new things. I would definitely recommend the Beginner Ravers Course to anyone who is still unsure or thinking about giving it a try.
JUAN: I found the Beginner Course through Instagram while I was looking for a new challenge and something fun and meaningful to do outside of my normal work routine. After watching the shuffle videos, I got really excited and decided to give it a try. Before joining, I was honestly worried that I wouldn't be able to learn the moves or keep up with everyone else. Those doubts completely disappeared. It turned out to be the exact opposite. I learned so much and had an amazing time dancing throughout the course. The atmosphere was fantastic from day one. Everyone was welcoming and supportive, which made it easy to relax and enjoy the experience. The quality of the lessons was incredibly high, and the guidance was excellent. The instructors gave so much personal attention that it almost felt like having private lessons. The part I enjoyed the most was learning cool shuffle moves while also meeting fun, friendly, and interesting people. It was a great combination of improving my skills and becoming part of a positive community. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone, even if they have never danced before. It's a very social and relaxing environment where there's no pressure, and you can learn a lot at your own pace. Shuffle dancing is also an amazing workout for your brain, coordination, and cardio fitness, making it one of the most complete and enjoyable forms of exercise. On top of that, you learn a new skill that is not only fun but also impressive and something you can continue enjoying long after the course is over.
FOOZHAN: What made me sign up was actually that two friends and I had been talking about taking a dance class together for a while. We weren’t specifically looking for a shuffle course, but then one of my friends found the ARA course. We almost couldn’t believe something like this actually existed in Amsterdam! We all love going to festivals and raves, and we’ve always admired the people shuffling, cutting shapes, and dancing so effortlessly. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to finally learn ourselves, and to do it together. Beforehand, our biggest hesitation was that we had absolutely no dance background and didn’t know if that would be a problem. Luckily, the website and Instagram made it very clear that the beginner course really is for complete beginners. We also wondered whether we’d be too old compared to everyone else, but that turned out not to be the case at all. There was a really nice mix of ages, which made the atmosphere feel very welcoming. The atmosphere, classes, and guidance were all amazing. The teachers are incredibly approachable, encouraging, and always happy to help. It genuinely feels like a community where everyone wants to see each other improve. The only challenge I experienced was that six weeks can feel quite intensive because you learn so many different steps and tricks. Since not everyone has the time to practice the fundamentals at home, it can sometimes feel like there’s a lot to take in during class. That said, the guidance throughout the course was excellent and made learning much easier. What I enjoyed most were definitely the teachers and the community. Everyone is positive, supportive, and passionate about dancing. The teachers are always responsive, whether during class or when sharing feedback through videos, and they create such a fun environment that you genuinely look forward to every lesson. The course leaves you wanting more. I finished it already excited to sign up for the next one, and my friends felt exactly the same. I would absolutely recommend this course to anyone who has never danced before or has very little dance experience. We started as complete beginners and had an amazing experience. I’ve already recommended it to several other people. The only suggestion I have is that it would be fantastic if there were courses in more cities, such as Rotterdam or Utrecht. Since I don’t live in Amsterdam, getting there after work—especially for Friday evening classes—can sometimes be a challenge. But aside from that, I genuinely have nothing but positive things to say. It’s a fantastic course, and I would recommend it 100%.
ANONYMOUS RAVER: From scrolling to shuffling ✨ I first discovered shuffling through Instagram videos, the quick and energic footwork to the different electronic beats caught my attention instantly. I felt excited to try this fresh style of dance, although as someone who is not naturally coordinated, a bit anxious as well. In January 2026, i took the leap and signed up for my first shuffle course with Amsterdam Ravers Academy and it has been an awesome journey ever since! From learning the basics of the running man to the intricate cutting and shuffle shapes, every class has been a mix of sweat, laughs, and so much fun and constant progress. The teachers Soof and Venus have been amazing, always patient, encouraging, and full of energy. They do more than teach the moves, they share the culture, the history, and sense of community that make shuffle so special. What i love most is how shuffling has become more than just a dance for me. It's a way to express myself, push my limits and connect with like-minded people who share the same enthusiasm. If you have ever been curious about shuffling or are looking for a fun, welcoming way to dance and connect with others, I highly recommend giving it a try. 💃🏽🕺🏻
ROHIT: I've been going to music festivals in Amsterdam for the past few years, and I've always been impressed by people who could shuffle. I tried learning from YouTube and practicing at home, but I never seemed to make much progress on my own. Earlier this year, I decided to look for shuffle classes in Amsterdam and came across ARA. The course was already fully booked, so I joined the waitlist. And I'm so glad I got a spot. From the very first class, Soof created a welcoming, relaxed atmosphere where everyone felt comfortable, regardless of their experience. It's great to see how much you improve from one class to the next. In 6 weeks we were dancing a full choreography together, and it's incredibly rewarding to see how much everyone had progressed. Overall it's the positive energy and sense of community that make the course special. If you're interested in learning to shuffle or simply want to try something new while meeting great people, I would highly recommend the courses at ARA.
