Hello, beautiful souls! I’m Maria, and I’m here to take you behind the scenes of a dancer’s journey. Ready? Fiiive, six, seven, eight! 🥳

From childhood to now, dance has been my heartbeat. I’ve explored a whole spectrum of styles—classical, ballroom, show dance, Latin, Caribbean, and African couple dancing. But it was tribal dance, especially ATS®/FCBD® Style and Tribal Fusion Bellydance, that stole my heart.

Ah, but let me rewind a bit. If you were to ask me when I truly began to identify as a dancer, my journey traces back to my Belarusian years before I moved to Lithuania. It was there, under the guidance of Alla Nikolaeva, the director and choreographer of the Belarusian National Circus, that I came to realize dance wasn’t merely a hobby—it was a passion worth dedicating your life to. Throughout her tough yet incredibly inspiring mentorship, she recognized potential in me that I had yet to see in myself.

Speaking of the realm of tribal, dance maestros who shaped my path are Nadežda Mäki, Berit Aicha Kalling, Kira Lebedeva, Taisa Jah Surya, Katarzyna Lidia, Agata Zakrzewska, Milana, Olga Meos, Laura Luna, Dina Hamida, Melli Sarina, Sara Lyn Vimana, Rachael Redfern, Ethel Anima, Valenteena Ianni—they’re the wind beneath my wings! 🦅Their guidance and expertise have been invaluable in shaping not just my dance technique, but also my understanding of the art form as a whole.

In 2017, my dance journey took a dramatic turn. During intense rehearsals, I faced a severe spinal nerve inflammation that shook my approach to movement to its core. It was a wake-up call, pushing me to reevaluate how I treated my body and approached dance, to reprioritize technique and safety. This experience ignited a newfound focus on mindful movement, reshaping my entire dance philosophy. 

While I once found joy in dance troupes and show groups, 2021 saw me unlocking a solo performance skill. Stepping onto that stage alone was a mixture of excitement and fear, but with each performance, I’ve grown stronger and more confident in my abilities. Stage fright? Yeah, it’s still hanging around, but we’re working on it—negotiations take time, after all! 💅

What can you expect from me as your dance teacher? Well, get ready for a blend of fun and focus! We’ll dive into body awareness, nail the technique, and showcase your fabulous self—all while enjoying ourselves to the fullest. I cultivate a respectful, inclusive, trauma-informed, and pleasure-based environment filled with support. My mission? To spread love for tribal dance as one of the most empowering, graceful, fluid, and diverse dance traditions, where the dancer’s personality takes center stage. So get ready to dance, laugh, and shine bright like the star you are! 💃✨