Belly Dance Classes, Individual Lessons & Workshops in Olympia, Online & Beyond

"I was intimidated by belly dance because of the isolations. I thought it would be hard. Lara’s breakdowns make it accessible!"

~ Kelsey, Olympia WA

"Taking your veil class, I learned that you can use your veils to connect, sensuality and lyricism, to create an intense emotional connection, rather than use them as a prop and a distraction. I thank you!"

~ Lauren, Port Angeles, WA

Nourish Your Soul!

Learn the basics of beginning Belly Dance. Study postures and alignment and Belly Dance-specific conditioning.

As class progresses, we’ll work into more challenging isolations and movement combinations with clear breakdowns. Discover the origins of Raqs Sharqi (aka - Belly Dance). Become an insider in this living, elegant art form! Gain proficiency for Intermediate Belly Dance!

Curriculum runs in a 3-month series. Students are welcome to sign up any time. All bodies, ages, identities and abilities are welcome! Belly dance is originally a fun, social dance! So no nay-sayers or party poopers here!

Classes run Wednesdays from 6 to 6:50 pm at Kinetic Dance Academy in Lacey, Washington. Purchase a class pass at the Souk

(“Souk” is Arabic for “market” or, in this case, “online store”!)

Lara Victoria Belly Dance Teacher leads students with beginning choreography. They are excited to belly dance with veils at Kinetic Dance Academy in Lacey Washington.

Beginning Belly Dance

Find your flow! Advance your skills to the next level! Further your technique with drills. Explore and expand your belly dance vocabulary with advanced layering and challenging combinations. Enhance your dance as you learn about the nuances of Arabic music. Learn to dance with zills, veil, and traditional Raqs Sharqi props. Study the iconic dancers of origin of Raqs Sharqi. Discover different dance opportunities for solo dancers.

Class culminates with a solo dance opportunity! Students gain proficiency for Intermediate Raqs Sharqi: the Group Artist!

Pre-requisite: Beginning Belly Dance & instructor permission. Curriculum runs in 6-month series. Students are welcome to sign up any time. All bodies, ages, identities and abilities welcome. Classes run Wednesdays, 7 to 7:50 pm at Kinetic Dance Academy in Lacey, Washington. Purchase a class pass at the Souk!

(“Souk” is Arabic for “market” or, in this case, “online store”!)

Intermediate Belly Dance

Intermediate Class Music List!
Intermediate Class Music List!

Join a group of fun, focused dancers! Learn choreography for a variety of SWANA (Southwest Asia & North Africa) dances. Choreographies drawn from Egyptian Raqs Sharqi and folkloric styles, the Levant, the Maghreb, Saudi Arabia and Iraqi. Learn to navigate the nuances of group performance. Year-round opportunities to participate in local performances and beyond.

Prerequisites: Beginning & intermediate raqs sharqi; must be concurrently enrolled in technique with Lara Victoria or approved course. All bodies, ages, identities and abilities welcome! Curriculum is ongoing. Classes run Wednesdays, 8 to 8:50 pm at Kinetic Dance Academy in Lacey, Washington. Purchase class passes at the Souk

(“Souk” translates to “market” or bazaar” or “online store” in this case!)

Three belly dancers perform at a bellydance event. They are wearing blue, green & purple skirts with gold coin bedlahs. Lara Victoria is the first bellydancer in the lineup. She teaches in Olympia Washington.

Intermediate/Advanced Belly Dance! Group Performance

Private Lessons & Individual Coaching - In Olympia, Online & Beyond

Past students have engaged my coaching in order to:

  • Get individualized instruction in preparation for performance, competitions, pageants or personal enrichment

  • Review performance footage together to gain insights into what to improve and how

  • Run through choreography for insights into what to improve and how

  • Enlist assistance developing a choreography for a project

  • Develop choreography for a project

  • Gain further clarity in a particular area of SWANA dances

  • I have coached for SWANA dance, state and regional pageant talent category, and burlesque performance

Coaching can be held in person or via Zoom. Contact me to schedule your sessions! Purchase coaching at the Souk!

Workshops Offered

Lara teaches Iraqi kawliya dance to intermediate students in Portland Oregon.
About 22 students pose for a photo at the end of a Saidi cane dance workshop. Lara poses front and center with a Saidi cane.
Workshop students posing for end-of-class photo. There are 7 students. Lara is front and center. Everyone is holding their fan veils out in a pose. Some fans are held to the left, some to the right, some overhead, and some low. The fans are colorful.

Workshop Topics: Egyptian Combos, Golden Era Combos, Fan Veil, Veil, Saidi, Shaabi, Mahraganat, Khaliji, Kawliya Fusion, Kawliya Hacha’a. Stage Presence, Poetics of Performance.

Highlights: 

  • Kawleeya Fusion ~ Emerald Sanctuary Bellydance Retreat (2022) & Portland OR Workshop ~ host Heather Louise (2020)

  • Stage Presence ~ Olympia WA ~ Mas Uda Dance, Kashani (2018)

  • Fan Veil Choreography ~ Victoria BC ~ host Sacred Centre Dance, Nath Keo (2016)

  • Saidi ~ Olympia WA ~ Mas Uda Dance, Kashani (2014) 

  • Fan Veil Basics ~ Tacoma WA ~ Hasani Hafla, Hasani (2012) & Charleston NC ~ host Palmetto Oasis, Nadia Pomedt (2010)

  • Elegant Arms ~ Burien WA ~ Abyssinian Twins, Kellie Basin (2008)

"Taking your veil class, I learned that you can use your veils to connect, sensuality and lyricism, to create an intense emotional connection, rather than use them as a prop and a distraction. I thank you!"

             ~ Lauren