The Stygian Collective

You Belong Here.

"I believe everyone deserves a place to be themselves, and to dance to express themselves authentically. The Stygian Collective exists so I can help dancers achieve this by providing a community and learning platform that promotes inclusivity, creative freedom, self-expression, support, collaboration, and celebration of our bodies and art."

~Daewen's Mission Statement

What is the Stygian Collective?

The Stygian Collective is an exclusive worldwide community of unique dancers who push the boundaries of dance, joined together to collaborate, inspire, learn, and grow! Created by our director Daewen, the goal of the Stygian Collective is to foster community, spark inspiration, and provide instruction and opportunities to all the dark, metal, or otherwise "weirdo" fusion dancers of the world.

Who Can join?

Anyone is welcome! No matter your dance experience, style, music choice, or any way you identify yourself, you have a place with us.

If you have a passion for dance and being your unique self, you belong here. Together, the Stygian Collective creates a cohesive, troupe-like experience for like-minded dancers-- whoever and wherever they may be!

Membership Benefits

Invest in Yourself! Our program is full of opportunities for growth, connection, promotion, creative expression, and of course FUN! Under the direction of our fearless leader, Daewen, you get to benefit from her expertise, commitment, talents, coaching skills, instructional skills, and passion for connecting people. And, each of our members adds their talent to our mix, creating an experience like no other.

We Never Stop Learning

Growth

  • Get full access to Daewen's Online Studio featuring the Stygian style of fusion dance. This includes all levels and types of content:

  • Receive discounts on all Stygian Dance events, classes, programs, and workshops

    • always at least 30% off

    • Attend Daewen's classes FREE!

  • Pursue Stygian Certification programs with customized feedback and bonus instruction to level up your dance

    • and at your 30% discount!

  • Attend weekly practice sessions with members to drill movements and condition!

We Support Each Other

Connection

  • Join our private Community group to share experiences, ask questions, share events, get to know each other, and collaborate on unique projects!

  • Meet up with your fellow members at Stygian Only events like Zoom chats, craft nights, classes, discussions, and more!

    • online and occasionally in person!

  • Network and collaborate with members on various projects

  • Gain lifetime friends!

  • Attend our annual Members Only Retreat:

    • 4 days of fun, dance, and gothy goodness in person in the St. Louis area

We Want To Brag About YOU!

Promotion

  • Perform and teach at Stygian Collective events like Ascension and quarterly shows

  • Have your videos featured on the Stygian Collective's YouTube channel and across social media

  • Get listed in the Stygian Member Directory

  • Advertise yourself and your events in our monthly newsletter

  • Create your own Local Chapter to perform under the Stygian Collective name and receive support in building your troupe

Stygians Just Wanna Have...

Fun!

  • Earn rewards in our B.A.D.A.S.S. merit badge program

  • Join special meet ups like Stitch & Bitch, Improv Roulette, and more!

  • Participate in gift exchanges

  • Watch show premieres together and hype each other up

  • Party in person? It's happened!

  • Did we mention the Annual Retreat??

Hear It

From Our Members

Direction by Daewen

...or as we call her, Mama Stygian!

Daewen (formerly known as Shyama) is our Director and Founder. Daewen performs and teaches throughout the Midwest (and now beyond!) in addition to offering her online studio. She has extensive and continual experience in fusion dance since 2012, including over a thousand hours in fusion styles with her idols like Ariellah, Rachel Brice, Zoe Jakes, Ashley Lopez, Michelle Sorenson, Silvia Salamanca, Belladonna, and her dance bestie and mentor Ami Amoré.

In addition, Daewen is a highly skilled coach, teacher, and administrative professional with years of training in coaching, psychology, and communication. You can count on her to be responsive, considerate, knowledgeable, extremely organized, and passionate about everything she does.

As a member, you get to benefit from Daewen's exceptional leadership, compassion, and talent--any time!

Your Investment

(Small) Requirements for Membership

Be yourself. And be kind. We have a Code of Conduct you will agree to abide by, but in short: be a decent human being :)

Membership Fees

Your Membership for all the above perks is $50/month - That's less than one night out, one nice meal, maybe two fitness classes... and with us you'll get so much more!

Want to pay annually? get a year's membership for $500: two months free!

So... What Are You Waiting For?

Remember, You Belong Here.

Membership Includes:

  • Access to All Online Studio Content

  • Live Classes with our experienced Director, Daewen

  • Private Member Community for Connection & Collaboration

  • Special Events like craft nights, practice sessions, bonus classes, and more!

  • Performance Opportunities (online & In Person)

  • Stygian-Only Choreography to Help Create, and Perform Each Year!

  • 30% Discount on Events

  • SO MUCH MORE!

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Inclusion Statement

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!

Disclaimers

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.

Stygian Style is informed by MEHNAT traditional dance. We acknowledge and love our roots in raqs sharqi and Middle Eastern dance traditions. Many of our members dance and perform in both worlds, and we encourage students to research the history of this danceform.

Copyright Stygian Dance LLC 2025. All Rights Reserved.