Dance & Storytelling Lab
Myth & Movement
Fall 2025
“Within every woman there is a wild and natural creature, a powerful force, filled with good instincts, passionate creativity, and ageless knowing.”
Dear Dancer,
Join us for the third annual Dance & Storytelling Lab for belly dancers! This is a guided creative process for dancers ready to turn their personal narratives into intriguing solo performances!
This year’s theme, Myth & Movement, invites participants to explore mythological inspiration, feminine archetypes, folklore, and their own lived stories through dance.
Running from August 11 to November 5, the Lab culminates in a live theater show on Sunday, November 9 at Sala Catarsis.
Would you like to see what our previous performers have created? Visit out YouTube Channel for our 2023 “Fall Dance Lab” and 2024 “Stories of the Season” theater show playlists.
We invite you to expand your creative potential and give force to your inner Goddess!
This journey is for you if…
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You crave a deeper connection between your personal story and your dance practice.
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You’re looking for a performance opportunity that is intimate, powerful, and rooted in story.
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You believe that dance can be more than entertainment—it can be a language of the soul.
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You’re ready to create an intentional solo that weaves together emotion, movement, and meaning.
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You’re drawn to mythology, feminine archetypes, or inner transformation through creative process.
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You want structured support, mentorship, and artistic direction while still honoring your unique voice.
Your Creative Path
What’s Included
This is more than a dance course — it’s your season for a creative transformation!
During this 12 week journey, you’ll be held inside a structure that is both soft and strong, designed to guide you as you craft your own story through the art of Raqs Sharki!
You’ll receive:
Stylization sessions that ask not just how you move, but why — helping shape the emotional tone and texture of your solo
Master classes with guest artists Lenka Badriyah and Meher — two women whose artistry will inspire new facets of your own
Live mentor meetups, where your questions, doubts, and sparks are met with real conversation and care
Letters from your mentors, arriving each week like ritual — filled with insights, creative guidance, and gentle provocation to keep you connected to your process
Practice tips and playlists, crafted for each phase of the journey, so you can anchor your growth in rhythm and repetition
A library of new video offerings, and recorded live sessions, ready whenever you need support, inspiration, or structure
Creative storytelling tools — from journaling prompts to solo-structure blueprints — to help you dance from truth, not just choreography
Workshops on crafting video art, for those called to translate their story through the lens as well as the stage
A special access to our Online Studio, so your technique can evolve alongside your story.
This is where discipline meets devotion.
Where mythology meets memory.
Where the dance becomes yours!
🌗 Phases of the Process
Mondays will be our days of grounding and setting creative intentions. We will be sending our weekly letters and videos on those days, as well as hosting Mentor Meet-ups.
Wednesdays will be our dance days where we will meet through Zoom and work on Stylization and Technique!
Week 1: August 11–17
Welcome letter + what you’ll need for the week: Monday, August 11th
Stylization Class #1: Wednesday, August 13th - 7:30pm EST
Spotify Playlist + Journal Prompts
Week 2: August 18-24
Weekly Letter + Practice Plan Release: Monday, August 18
Stylization Class #2: Wednesday, August 20th - 7:30pm EST
Week 3: August 25–31
Mentor Meetup #1 (Zoom/live & recorded)": Monday, August 25th - 7:30pm
Stylization Class #3: Wednesday, August 27th - 7:30pm EST
Journal Prompt + Creative Focus
Week 4: September 1–7
Weekly Letter
Stylization Class #4: Wednesday, September 3rd - 7:30pm EST
Journal Prompt + Creative Focus
Workshop: How to Film Your Dance: Date to be announced
Week 5: September 8-14
Master Class #1 with Meher: Date to Be Announced
Journal Reflection Prompt
Optional Creative Break / No Stylization
Week 6: September 15-21
Mentor Meetup #2: Monday September 15th - 7:30pm
Practice Plan Release
Stylization Class #5: Wednesday, September 17th - 7:30pm EST
Start “Midpoint Check-In” with dancers
Week 7: September 22-28
Weekly Letter: Story Structure
Creative Solo Mapping Tool
Stylization Class #6: Wednesday, September 24th - 7:30pm EST
Week 8: September 29- October 5
Weekly Letter
Stylization Class #7: Wednesday, October 1st - 7:30pm EST
Journal Prompts: Symbolism + Personal Myth
Practice Plan
Week 9: October 6 - 12
Master Class #2 with Lenka Badriyah: Date to be announced
Practice Plan / Integration Week
No Stylization
Week 10: October 13-19
Mentor Meetup #3: Monday, October 13th - 7:30pm EST
Stylization Class #8: Wednesday, October 15th - 7:30pm EST
Solo Development Guidance
Week 11: October 20-26
Stylization Class #9: Wednesday, October 22nd - 7:30pm EST
Final Solo Draft Encouragement
Week 12: October 27- November 2
Mentor Meetup #4: Monday, October 27th — 7:30pm EST
Stylization Class #10: Wednesday, October 29th - 7:30pm EST
Final Touches & Polishing
Week 13: November 3 - 9
Integration & Celebration!
No class this week – creative space to rest, rehearse, prepare.
📅 SHOW DAY: Sunday, Nov 9 at Sala Catarsis
Choose Your Path
🌕 Full Payment Plan
One step, full commitment.
Secure your place in the Dance & Storytelling Lab: Myth & Movement with a single payment. This plan gives you full access to the entire 12-week Lab experience — no additional steps required.
Includes:
All stylization and live classes
2 master classes
4 mentor meetups
Weekly letters, playlists, and practice maps
Access to recordings and creative resources
Optional performance (live or video)
Cost: $425 (save $75!)
🌙 Partial Payment Plan
Split the path in two — same journey, gentler pace.
This two-part payment plan gives you full access to the Lab while allowing for more flexibility. Pay in two installments: the first secures your spot, the second is due mid-way through the program.
Includes:
Everything in the full experience
Flexible payment without sacrificing access
Cost: 2 payments of $250 each.
Second payment due: Week 6 of the Lab
🌟 Master Class Access
Not part of the full Lab?
You can still experience the magic of our guest artists. Join us for a standalone master class and get a taste of the Lab’s creative energy..
✨ Single Master Class – $65
Live Zoom class with a guest artist
7-day access to the recording
Optional journal prompts to deepen your experience
🌙 Bundle Both & Save – $100 (save $30!)
Includes both master classes (Lenka Badriyah + Meher)
Perfect for dancers craving depth without the full Lab commitment
Meet Your Guides
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Valerick Molinary
Director & Instructor
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Alexandra Molina
Director & Instructor
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Lenka Badriyah
Guest Artist
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Meher Malik
Guest Artist
Testimonials
I have been belly dancing for nearly 20 years as an enthusiastic amateur. The dance lab was like no other course I've taken - it stretched my thinking as a dancer and gave me freedom to move my body in new ways. The creativity and confidence the lab sparked have helped motivate me in other aspects of my life as well (personally and professionally). Thank you Val and Alex!
-Sarah
I enjoyed working on the performer dance lab. It was a great mix of lecture, live classes, and creating a dance video. We all had a different story we wanted to tell and it was such a unique experience to see what everyone created. It's exciting to see how Alex and Val want to improve the program for each iteration.
-Lauren
My experience was a very memorable, I was able to connect with other dancers from different states, we were able to share so many dance ideas and knowledge, we share our emotions and experience. We supported each other on the way, receive support from the instructors, I will definitely sign up again..
-Yisheiri