Melanya Zerpa

Melanya Zerpa is a Venezuelan-born, NYC-raised visual artist, dancer, and entertainer who studies and performs contemporary Raqs Sharqi in the Western NC/Eastern TN area.

Organic, fluid movement and the ability to incorporate a variety of themes, props, costumes, improvisation, and more into her performances, makes Raqs Sharqi her preferred form of movement. For the last decade, Melanya has studied and performed Raqs Sharqi and dances of the SWANA/MENAT region. In this time, she has developed a playful, musical, and fluid stage presence.

Melanya is deeply inspired by exploring non-verbal forms of communication, expression, and connection, and strives to keep harnessing her artistry using the mind-body union and the many forms of Raqs Sharqi as a medium.