Introduced to Swing dancing by her dance-enthusiast mother, Natalia attended her first Lindy Hop party in December 2004 in Ottawa, Canada. Shortly after, in the spring of 2005, she discovered Balboa, an experience she often describes as, “Love at first dance." Mesmerized by her local teachers' energetic dance styles, and mentored by great second-generation Balboa and Lindy Hop dancers from California and New York City, USA, she dedicated all her free time throughout high school to immersing herself in the world of Swing and Jazz dancing. 

Now, with 18 years of teaching experience, Natalia has shared her love of Swing and Jazz dances across Canada, the USA, Mexico, and Western Europe. This summer, she’ll be on her first Asia tour (see her 2024 calendar here).

Known for her lively and technically precise teaching approach, Natalia infuses her dance classes with infectious energy and a passion for the Swing dance art forms. Her dancing style, with roots in Colombian folk and partner dances, evolved through rigorous training in Ballet, Swing, and Jazz dances during her teenage years in Canada. Today, her carefully curated and distinctive flair makes her stand out on the dance floor. 

With her primary Balboa and Slow Bal partner, Mickey Fortanasce (USA), Natalia is available to teach and perform worldwide. Over the years, she has also worked with Lindy Hop and Balboa dancers such as Mike Sonder (USA/NL), Blake Thiessen (USA), Juan Villafañe (Argentina),  Gio Olla (IT/Sweden), and Zack Richard (Canada).

Natalia is a Colombian native and Canadian citizen, currently living in Utrecht, Netherlands.

"Natalia has a depth of teaching experience that only comes with years of nurturing dancers daily from their first steps, to first place in national competitions. She's amazing at coaching leaders to connect clearly and master their movement, teaching followers to react instinctively and find their voice, and everyone to find the joy of jazz."
Byron Alley | Swing School Owner
Victoria, Canada

ACHIEVEMENTS

Team Awards

FIRST PLACE

• 2016 Canadian Swing Championships
  Swing ConneXion

• 2015 Canadian Swing Championships
  Swing ConneXion

• 2015 Ultimate Lindy Hop Showdown
  Rain City Rhythm

• 2014 Canadian Swing ChampionshipsSwing Dynamite's TNTeam

SECOND PLACE

• 2017 Canadian Swing Championships
  Swing ConneXion

• 2015 Canadian Swing Championships
  Swing ConneXion

• 2013 Canadian Swing Championships
  The Hot Tamales

• 2007, 2009, 2011 Canadian Swing Championships
  The Dynamite Girls

THIRD PLACE 

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  The Dynamite Girls

PERSONAL AWARDS

FIRST PLACE

• 2017 Dig Tha Feet Festival
  Pro Showcase division

• 2017 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa division

• 2016 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa division

• 2016 Canadian Swing Championships
  West Coast Swing division

• 2013 Montreal Dance Fest
  West Coast Swing Jack n' Jill division

• 2013 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa division

• 2013 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa Jack n' Jill division

• 2011 Montreal Balboa Revue
  Balboa Jack n' Jill division

• 2011 Canadian Swing Championships
  Pro in the Pro-Am division

• 2011 Canadian Swing Championships
  Blues division

• 2011 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa division

• 2010 Swingin' New England Championships
  West Coast Swing Jack 'n Jill division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  Blues division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  Solo Blues division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  West Coast Swing Jack 'n Jill division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  West Coast Swing division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa division

• 2010 Canadian Swing Championships
  Balboa Jack 'n Jill division

• 2010 Toronto Open Swing & Hustle Championships
  West Coast Swing division

• 2010 Toronto Open Swing & Hustle Championships
  West Coast Swing Jack 'n Jill division

Testimonials

• Mickey Pedroza
  Professional Swing dancer
  Orange County, USA
         "Natalia is one of the most genuinely honest people I have ever had the pleasure of working with, she truly cares for people, and has a work ethic to match that personality. She is awesome, and talented, and it was great working with her."

• Zack Richard
  Professional Swing dancer
  Montreal, Canada
         "Working with Natalia is a great pleasure! Her creativity and professionalism are stellar, and she's not afraid to push the envelope to create a vision that is truly hers!"

• Danae Lyginos
  Dance school manager
  Nijmegen, Netherlands
         “We were delighted to host Natalia in Nijmegen. She really made a big difference, not just to the level of dancing of our scene, but also to the attitude and enthusiasm of the people towards the dance itself! All of her classes literally combine everything: technique, rhythm, musicality and fun!"

• Alice Bourgasser
  Professional modern dancer
  Noisy-le-Grand, France
         “Describing Natalia is very hard and also very easy. She is the best Swing teacher I have ever had: her precision, her knowledge and her kindness helped me so much in my solo Jazz! I’m a better dancer thanks to Natalia. I’ve learned so much, having so much fun, that I will always be grateful to her!”

• Carlos Martínez
  Dance student
  Cuidad de México, México
         “Natalia no sólo es una excelente bailarina, también una excelente maestra y un magnífico ser humano que deja en cada una de sus clases la pasión necesaria para inspirarte a crecer día a día. Aprender de ella ha sido una de las experiencias más gratificantes de mi vida.

• Dominique Jean
  Dance student
  Montreal, Canada
         "En plus d'être une danseuse de grand talent, Natalia est une coach qui travaille avec énormément de professionnalisme. She knows what she's doing et amène ses étudiants au niveau supérieur. J'ai adoré chacune de mes pratiques coachées par Natalia. Beaucoup de plaisir!"

• Raphaël Desmaison
  Dance student
  Toulouse, France
         "It's been a real pleasure to have a coach that respects your style and creativity while still giving you technical keys to get better. We can easily figure out that Natalia has a strong dance background and that she uses it efficiently. Her dance philosophy has a reflection, a deepness, that gives an human side that is very appreciated."

• Caro Cervantes
  Dance student
  Ciudad de México, México
         "Me gusta la pasión, entrega y alegría que refleja Natalia al momento de impartir talleres. La semilla que dejó en México me motiva a regar todos los días la pasión y amor por el Lindy Hop."