My Story

Hello, welcome and thank you for stopping by my website! I am a business owner, director and multi-media artist that focuses in the visual and performance arts.

Currently, my main projects surround the art of Oriental Dance, (a.k.a. Belly Dance). I teach and perform, and create environments of human connection and art!

I am a co-founder and co-director of Belly Dance Stories, a multi-media year-round production empowering the voices of our community. Our vision is to create a movement of conversation and transformation through the art of Belly Dance and creative writing. I am honored to work with co-director, Valerick Molinary, in this truly thrilling and growing community! Visit our website for more about our theater productions, dance labs, podcast, published works, and more.

My Journey in becoming a Belly Dancer…

In 2005 I began learning the art of Oriental Dance (“Belly Dance” or “Raks Sharqi”) with Portia at Belly Motions. I fell in love with the transformative power of the movement and the music!

To create a career in this artform, education was priority and our Belly Dance “education system” for aspiring professionals is scattered and mysterious, there is no “official” method of business. I took extensive courses to learn safe methods to teach all ages, traveling to learn with master instructors, dancers and musicians of the art. I became a professional instructor and performer in 2007 through Belly Motions and taught at there until 2021.

Today I teach Belly Dance classes around the Miami and South Florida area. My home base is a beautiful location called The Peacemaker Studio.

Belly Dance can be experienced in many forms. I teach in three formats: (1) fitness, (2) art and technique and (3) movement meditation.

I sincerely will say, that I am in the business of helping others connect with their feminine essence, that comes in many forms and styles! I learn and grow with every student, and truly feel JOY in what I do!

My Journey as a Painter (and in-directly, a dancer)…

I had a VERY colorful childhood. The arts (music, dance, poetry, singing, acting, you name it!) has been an integral part of my family for generations on both my parents sides. Dance, music and singing were the roots of the endless family gatherings and large parties.

I began painting when I was very young with the support and influence of my Dad, who was a very creative and wonderful man. Nestor Porfirio Molina was a child actor from Cuba, who worked in plays and films in the 1950’s. He studied painting in the Escuela Nacional de Bellas Artes, Cuba and as an adult became a published author in philosophy, metaphysics and poetry. He continued to paint and share the love for the arts, and as a result my three siblings and I have taken on creative careers.

My Costa Rican family on my Mom’s side, are artists of a different vibration. They are nature-artists and are known for having a green-thumb, which is where I get my passion for wild-life, gardening, hiking, mountains and rivers! We also have many beautiful singers and talent, and always some sort of comedic-relief to accompany all areas of life.

In 2012 I graduated from Florida International University with a BFA majoring in Art and Art History. I worked as an intern and later as the Education Assistant at the Frost Art Museum, while I painted and exhibited in local shows. The experience was wonderful and taught me valuable skills and lessons that inform my decisions today.

Extras

I have taught art classes to children and adults through several organizations, including my own “Belly Dancers Art Club.” These experiences teaching in both disciplines blessed me with lessons in communication, organization of groups and myself, and opening my world to view the many opportunities the world has to offer.

What have I learned so far?

The process of being human is beautiful and challenging. It is BOUNDLESS!

Learn how to listen to your inner-self with an open heart. Being honest is a treasure and a gift to yourself and to others.

Love is a strength. Use it! Never fear it.

Share your projects and ideas! Chances are people will HELP YOU get there! NO ONE can do what you do.

I have been challenged and questioned by others and myself - but stay true to you.

Being scared about trusting my inner voice is a good fear. Just trust it and go for it!

I have worked with humans that have surprised me, and keeping that open heart is more important than ever in today’s world.

Stay kind.

Share your magic.

Trust in your personal alchemy.

The Universe will support you.

A few personal facts about me:

My Mom is Costa Rican and my Dad is Cuban, I was born in Miami and still live there. I’ve visited Costa Rica many times but haven’t yet visited Cuba. (It’s interesting how people love to ask where I’m from! But we all know we are from Earth.)

I absolutely LOVE tea and cherish my daily tea-time. It’s my space for meditation and mindfulness. But I also adore coffee and learning best brew practices.

I have two furry-dragon-babies named Nyah and Sansa.

I love living in Miami, but mountains and rivers call to me more.

I took a 4 month study abroad in Florence, Italy in 2010 while in college to study Art and Art History. That was spectacular and memorable!

My partner is Italian-Colombian and we dream of owning a home in Italy there one day. Or maybe Scotland…? We are a travel-thirsty couple.

I love reading and re-reading Anne Rice’s Vampires Chronicles and the Harry Potter series! I also love philosophy, psychology and most recently learning about plant medicines.

I had a huge fascination with anime when I was younger. My favorites were Gundam Wing, Sailor Moon, and Cowboy Bebop.

I think I must have had a past life in the 1960’s and 70’s because I love the music and romanticize living during that time.

Exhibitions:
for work between 2019 - present, you’ll find updates on my social media.

2018

Station 36 | HGAB Studio's Wynwood Art Walk

Gallery Night at Belly Motions - Belly Dancer's Art Club, Saturday, July 14

Featured Artist in Voyage MIA Magazine. Interview link click here.

2017

Lebanese Love Affair III - February 24 - 26, Artist and Performer, Miami, FL

2016
RAW: Natural Born Artists Presents SIGNATURE artist and performer, Miami, FL (coming April 21st)

2015
Gallery Night at Belly Motions; Calligraphic Dancer, artist and performer, Miami, FL

2014
Festival of the Goddesses, artist and performer, Jakmel Art Gallery, Wynwood, FL

Rotating art work at Belly Motions, artist, Coral Gables, FL
                  
Artwork featured at the Futurama Art Gallery, artist and performer, Miami, FL

2013     
Breadth, artist and performer, YMCA of Greater Miami, FL

Belly Motions Gallery Night, artist and performer, Coral Gables, FL

Festival of the Goddesses, artist and performer, Jakmel Art Gallery, Wynwood, FL

Regions Bank in Pinecrest presents Talia Rodriguez, curator, Miami, FL
 
2012     
Regions Bank in Pinecrest Rotating Exhibitions, curator, Miami, FL

Bus, Sweat and Tears: Second Route, curator, FIU’s Miami Beach Urban Studio’s, Miami, FL

Falls Art District November Art Walk, artist, “Artists at the Falls” Studio, Miami, FL

BFA Undergraduate Exhibit, artist, Frost Art Museum, Florida International University, Miami, FL

2011      
Re> Collaborative Installation Project/FIU Installation Class, artist, Miami, FL


Written work:
My personal Blog - click here!

2013 - 2014    Blogs with Belly Motions

2012     
Review on Miguel A. Saludes’s work for Regions Bank                                                                         
 Currently not published

Review on exhibit Bus, Sweat and Tears: Second Route, artists Jefreid Lotti, Alvaro Labanino & Miguel A. Saludes                        
FIU MBUS, Miami, FL
Currently not published

Review on exhibit Bus, Sweat and Tears, artists Jefreid Lotti, Alvaro Labanino & Miguel A. Saludes      
FIU Artist’s Forum Miami, FL
Currently not published

2011       
Review on Artist Adrian Molina’s Perpetual In-terra Action       Yes.Oui.Si Gallery, Boston, MA.
Published http://blog.yesouisispace.com