Known for her powerful approach to musicality, emotional expression, improvisation, and artistic development, Marta has inspired dancers around the world to move beyond technique and create performances that truly connect.

Before joining us in Costa Rica for the 2027 Heart of Belly Dance Retreat, Marta returns to Sahara Dance this August for a special three-evening intensive designed to help dancers deepen their connection to music, artistry, and performance.

Over three evenings, participants will explore:

Arabic Rhythms in Belly Dance
Understanding the rhythms that form the foundation of belly dance music and learning how to embody them with confidence, precision, and musicality.

Lyrical Song: Dancing with Emotions
Exploring how to translate melody, lyrics, and feeling into movement while developing greater emotional expression and performance quality.

Mastering Improvisation
Building confidence through practical tools and exercises that help dancers respond authentically and creatively in the moment.

Learn more about the intensive and register here 

We recently asked Marta about her teaching philosophy, what inspires her as an artist, and what she believes transforms a technically skilled dancer into a truly memorable performer.

Returning to the Sahara Dance Community

For Marta, returning to Sahara Dance is about more than teaching workshops.

It’s about reconnecting with a community she describes as passionate, dedicated, and deeply invested in growth.

“The people there have this incredible passion for learning and they truly give 100% every single time.”

Reflecting on her previous visits, Marta shared that what stands out most is the warmth of the Sahara Dance community and the opportunity to connect with dancers who share a common vision.

“It feels like coming back to your people.”

As she prepares for her August return, she’s looking forward to seeing familiar faces, sharing new ideas, and creating something meaningful together once again.

“This year, I’m most looking forward to that incredible energy, seeing familiar faces, and creating something beautiful together again.”

Students exploring musicality and movement quality during a workshop with Marta Korzun.

Why Musicality, Emotion, and Improvisation Matter

Marta’s August intensive focuses on three qualities she considers essential for every dancer: rhythm, emotional expression, and improvisation.

According to Marta, rhythm is the foundation upon which everything else is built.

“Without rhythm, choreography just falls apart.”

But technical accuracy alone isn’t enough.

She believes musicality and emotion must work together, transforming movement from a sequence of steps into a genuine artistic experience.

“Technique without emotion is just a bunch of random moves. It’s emotion that turns you from a ‘robot’ who gets all the steps right into a true artist.”

For Marta, emotion is the language dancers use to communicate with their audience.

“It’s literally the language you use to talk to your audience.”

It’s what allows people to laugh, cry, smile, or hold their breath during a performance.

Exploring musical interpretation, expression, and movement nuance in class.

Improvisation plays an equally important role.

Unlike choreography that has been rehearsed countless times, improvisation asks dancers to respond in real time—to trust their training, instincts, and connection to the music.

“Improv forces your brain and body to work right here, in the moment.”

Marta believes that improvisation helps dancers discover their unique artistic voice and develop the confidence to create authentic, unrehearsed moments on stage.

“It brings out your true, unique style and those raw, genuine reactions.”

When dancers combine rhythm, emotion, and improvisation, she believes their artistry reaches an entirely new level.

“When you mix all three together, it literally takes your dancing to a whole new level.”

What Makes a Dancer Truly Memorable?

Many dancers spend years building technique, but Marta believes technical excellence alone isn’t what audiences remember.

What stays with people long after a performance ends is how it made them feel.

For Marta, the difference between a technically strong dancer and a truly compelling performer is connection.

Connection to the music.

Connection to emotion.

Connection to the audience.

Developing artistry, performance quality, and stage presence through guided practice.

As Marta explains:

“Technique is great, but without soul, it’s just steps.”

She encourages dancers to move beyond simply executing choreography and instead fully inhabit the music.

When that happens, a performance becomes more than movement—it becomes an experience.

“When you bring that raw emotion and really live the music, you give the audience an experience they’ll keep thinking about long after you leave the stage.”

Looking Ahead: Costa Rica & The Heart of Belly Dance Retreat

Marta’s ideas about musicality, emotional expression, and transformation don’t stop in the studio.

They are woven throughout the experience she will lead at the 2027 Heart of Belly Dance Retreat in Costa Rica.

For dancers who connect with Marta’s approach to artistry and personal growth, the retreat offers an opportunity to explore those ideas in an even deeper way.

Set in the natural beauty of Costa Rica, the retreat is more than a week of workshops. It’s an immersive experience designed to help dancers step away from their daily routines, reconnect with their creativity, and build meaningful relationships with a community of artists from around the world.

Heart of Belly Dance Retreat participants enjoying connection and community in Costa Rica.

The 2027 retreat theme, Technique & Transformation, reflects many of the same ideas Marta spoke about throughout our conversation.

Dancers will strengthen their technical foundation while exploring how technique can support deeper musicality, emotional expression, confidence, and personal growth.

Much like Marta describes returning to Sahara Dance as “coming back to your people,” the retreat brings together dancers who share a passion for learning, growth, and artistic exploration.

Just as Marta describes emotion as the language that connects dancers to their audience, the retreat creates space for dancers to connect more deeply with themselves, their artistry, and one another.

Beyond workshops, participants share meals, excursions, conversations, and experiences that foster connection, trust, and lifelong friendships.

Retreat participants stepping outside their comfort zones and creating memories together during a Costa Rica excursion.

Whether joining Marta this August in Maryland or next spring in Costa Rica, participants can expect an environment focused not only on learning movement, but on developing as artists.

And perhaps that’s what resonates most about Marta’s teaching philosophy:

Great dance isn’t just about executing choreography.

It’s about creating moments people remember.

Moments that connect.

Moments that transform.

Study with Marta in 2026 & 2027

Marta Korzun 3-Day Intensive

August 24-26, 2026
6:00-9:00 PM each evening

Topics include:

• Musicality and Arabic rhythms
• Emotional expression and performance quality
• Improvisation and artistic confidence
• Building a deeper connection to the music

Heart of Belly Dance Retreat 2027

May 1-8, 2027 | Costa Rica

Join Marta and the Sahara Dance community for a week of study, connection, artistic growth, and transformation in one of the world’s most beautiful retreat destinations.

Registration is now open for both events!