Meet Natalie
Wright state emerging choreographer
Natalie Nagy is a senior student at Wright State University and will graduate summa cum laude in April 2024 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance Performance, complemented by an Arts Management Certificate. Her dance journey began at Expanding Harmony Dance Studio in Brookings, SD, where she laid the foundation for her passion. Upon moving to Dayton, OH in 2016, Natalie honed her skills at South Dayton Dance Theatre under the guidance of artistic director Erin Long-Robbins.
Natalie deepened her understanding of dance by pursuing higher education at Wright State University. Natalie found mentorship under the tutelage of esteemed dance figures and faculty members such as Teresa McWilliams, Gina Walther, and Ashley Pabst. During her tenure at Wright State, Natalie seized opportunities to collaborate with renowned choreographers including Ray Mercer, Kijaunta Lucas, and Gavin Stuart and Vanessa Owens. She first premiered her own choreographic works at the 2023 and 2024 Emerging Choreographer’s Concert.
Natalie’s dedication to leadership is evident in her role as the President of Wright State’s circle of Omicron Delta Kappa, the National Leadership Honor Society. Additionally, she spent two seasons with Dayton Contemporary Dance Company II (DCDC2), where she danced under the mentorship of Shonna Hickman-Matlock. Her performances for esteemed choreographers such as Crystal Michelle, Countess Winfrey, Kevin Ward, and Elizabeth Ramsey have further enriched her artistic journey.
During breaks from her academic pursuits, Natalie sought additional training under the guidance of acclaimed choreographers Peter Chu, Sidra Bell, Ronen Koresh, and Ohad Naharin. These experiences have collectively shaped Natalie as both a human being and an artist, enriching her understanding of movement, expression, and creativity.
Get to know Natalie
Year at WSU: Senior
What was the inspiration behind your work?
The inspiration behind my work stems from the exploration of human relationships. Similar to the scientific process of osmosis where molecules move across a membrane in response to differing concentrations, human relationships follow a similar flow. Connection and understanding of one another is contingent upon conditions like shared values, communication, and mutual respect. Through movement, I aim to delve into how the depth and quality of a relationship evolves in response to either the presence or absence of these conditions.
What excites you about joining DDI this season?
I am incredibly eager to join DDI this season as it is a collective of professional artists in the greater Dayton area that I have looked up to and been inspired by in my journey with dance. Since moving to Dayton in 2016, I have had the privilege of witnessing and at times, being part of the mighty movement of arts in the Dayton community. Dayton Dance Initiative is a wonderfully collaborative and important entity in this movement.
What inspires you as an artist/choreographer?
As a dancer and choreographer I am inspired by movement that is athletic and musical, but also vulnerable and abandoned. I am inspired by watching God’s living creation, nature’s elements, and interactions between creatures or with oneself. Many times I am inspired purely by movement itself with the potential of finding meaning along the way.
Favorite local Dayton business:
My favorite local business in Dayton, OH is My Favorite Muffin and Bagel. I can’t pass by without stopping!