Natalia began her career in the arts industry in Colombia, where she was born and raised. She holds 1st place titles in singing and cheerleading competitions, a strong foundation on which she developed her athletic and vivacious dance and performance style. 

After moving to Canada, she discovered Swing dancing in the spring of 2005 and immediately fell in love with Lindy Hop and Balboa. Shortly after, she co-founded Ottawa's first dedicated Swing school, Swing Dynamite, where she taught and mentored students and teachers for 8 years. Since, Natalia has been a senior instructor at dance schools in Montreal and Vancouver (Canada); Phoenix (USA); and also in Amsterdam, Nijmegen, Rotterdam, and Utrecht (The Netherlands).  

A Swing instructor of 18 years, Natalia has taught throughout North America, Central America, and Western Europe. Her specialties are Balboa and Slow Bal, Lindy Hop and Charleston, and fancy things such as lifts and air steps! She’s also an experienced instructor of vernacular Jazz dance, select Blues dances, Collegiate Shag and West Coast Swing.

Natalia’s primary working partners are Mickey Fortanasce, for Balboa and Slow Bal, and Mike Sonder, for Lindy Hop and Charleston. Natalia has also worked for many years with Zack Richard (Canada) and Daniel Newsome (USA), and most recently with Gio Olla (Sweden).

Other working partners include visiting resident instructors with whom she has taught in the Netherlands: Blake Thiessen (USA), Juan Villafañe (Argentina), and Mikey Pedroza (USA).

As a performer, Natalia has danced on various stages across countries. Highlights include dancing with the National Arts Centre Orchestra in Ottawa, at the Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal, at the Fallsview Casino in Niagara Falls; also on TV with Canadian, American, and Dutch networks.  

Natalia currently resides in Utrecht, The Netherlands. She speaks English, Spanish, and French – and is currently learning Dutch.

"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. Professional Swing dancer.  
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."