Daewen has carved a niche in the fusion community, becoming a crowd-wowing staple on both live and virtual stages! She regularly creates and participates in large-scale events, inspiring event-goers and participants everywhere she performs. She has studied extensively in the fusion style with many top-tier instructors, with the most inspiring being Ariellah, Silvia Salamanca, Belladonna, and her mentor Ami Amoré!
Daewen's "Stygian Style" is uniquely inspired by a blend of heavy music, strong emotions, strength, mythology, horror, fantasy, magic, the works of her teachers, and her fellows in the Stygian Collective.
With a massive repertoire that includes creative and emotional choreography, improvisation, sword and veil dance, and more, Daewen is as versatile as she is deeply versed in the intricacies of each style of performance.
For a sampling of Daewen's incredible work, you can visit our social media pages and browse our site! Be prepared for a side of belly dance you’ve never seen before!
Daewen holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois. Her extensive study and training in behavioral change and motivation allows her to offer guidance and support in achieving both dance and lifestyle goals, including topics like dance business, creation, personal practice, troupe direction, show production, habit change, office skills, basic marketing, people management, wellness, self care, weight management, task management, and more!
Always inspired by ancient pagan ways, Daewen also holds a Rune Divination Diploma from the Centre for Excellence. Using her study of the Elder Futhark runes, Daewen will guide you on a transformative journey, unveiling the answers you seek and illuminating your path ahead.
Then in terms of personality, we call her Mama Stygian for a reason. She is passionate about what she does, cares deeply for those in her circles, and lives by the Stygian values of support and belonging. While she may have a dark and scary performance persona, she's naturally full of belly laughs, hugs, and generosity.
Self-hosting workshops and classes since 2013
2025 Bayou Belly Festival in Lafayette, LA
2025 Stone Soup Festival in Kansas City, MO
2025, 2022 Indiana Bellydance Collective Annual Bazaar
2024 Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention in Lansing, MI
2024 Featured Instructor at Stone Soup in Kansas City, MO
2023 Headlining Instructor for the First Annual Gothla Australia
2021 Tribal Muse Workshops in Madrid, IA
2020 Amorticious Studios in St. Louis, MO
2019 Bellies for Bellies, Richland Community College, Decatur, IL
2015-2017 Defy Gravity, Champaign, IL
Production of and participation in annual online dance festivals and performances from November 2020 onward
2025, 2022 Indiana Bellydance Collective Annual Bazaar
2024 Great Lakes Belly Dance Convention in Lansing, MI
2024 Raqs Obscura at Stone Soup in Kansas City, MO
2024 Turning the Gaze professional production with Dance Hipnotique in St. Louis, MO
ongoing performances at Ami Amore’s Hard Raks Cafe and Urban Cabaret in St. Louis, MO since 2019
2023 Headliner for the First Annual Gothla Australia
Creepshow Peepshow in St. Louis, MO
2022 Performance at Fission during the Mega Massive in Las Vegas, NV
2022 Curated Dead Can Dance performance solo and with my international troupe at The Artiface in Las Vegas, NV
7 years at Fusion Evolution Belly Dance Festival in Chicago, IL
4 years at Dark History & Horror Con in Champaign, IL
3 years at Boneyard Arts Festival in Champaign, IL
Directed and performed in my own shows in Champaign, IL titled “Oh the Horror!” and “Tainted Love: A Valentine’s Day Special,” as well as annual troupe showcases.
We are devoted to a community of inclusion and all are welcome with us. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. If you have an experience that isn’t consistent with these values, we want to hear from you so we can do better!
Dance is a physical activity. Stygian Dance and affiliated instructors will not be held liable for any injuries that may occur from using these videos. If you engage in this program, you agree that you do so at your own risk. Trust your body, and if needed, consult a physician regarding any concerns you may have.
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