About Lara Victoria
"I am a native Arab professional woman. Lara impresses me with her ability to capture the complete essence of each style of the Middle Eastern dance. I don't feel she is a foreigner to the dance...
She is very professional and respectful. I invited her to do some educational performances for my work colleagues last year. Till date they are still talking about it. Thanks a lot, Lara. And thank you for being there for the dance."
— Ban, Baghdad Iraq/Mukilteo WA
Providing professional, award-winning belly dance entertainment and instruction throughout the Pacific Northwest and beyond. Lara is an engaging, soulful entertainer and a gifted artist who energizes her audiences. Her devotion to the dance, love of her audiences, and exquisite artistry make her a beloved dancer, entertainer, choreographer and teacher.
Dance forms that Lara specializes in are Egyptian Raqs Sharqi, American Cabaret Belly Dance, Iraqi Kawliya Fusion, Gulf Khaliji, Fan Veil Fusion, and spiritual dances of Southwest Asia and North Africa (SWANA).
Specializations
Lara’s teaching style is informed and intuitive. With 36 years of Arabic dance studies, and early studies in ballet, tap and drill, she draws on a solid, eclectic dance foundation to help students adapt movements to their own bodies. Additional strengths Lara draws on as a dance instructor are a background in music education, and 26 years as a college professor with training in Safe Zone, the Trauma Informed Educator, and continuing DEIC professional development. Inviting and inclusive, and framed in cultural context, students find joy and enrichment in Lara’s classes.
Lara currently offers in-person classes in Lacey and Olympia Washington. She offers online classes as well. She is available for private and special occasion group lessons. She is also available for workshops and special event performances.
Teaching Style
An award-winning artist, Lara has studied under nationally and internationally acclaimed dance artists of origin and dance artists of renown. She has gained invaluable coaching from her collaborations with local dancers in Seattle and Las Vegas. She holds an MFA in poetry and has taught college courses for two decades. In her continuing academic training, she has studied trauma-informed pedagogy, diversity and equity training, and is Safe Zone certified. You can find her at festivals, competitions, and dance seminars throughout the country and in the Pacific Northwest, either furthering her own dance knowledge or contributing back to her community, leading workshops or serving as a judge in competitions.