Episode 3 | ChoreograpHER: Nathalia Arja

What this episode covers

In this episode of At the Barre, host Chris Farenthold, Director of Madison Ballet Special Projects, is joined by Nathalia Arja, principal dancer with Miami City Ballet and choreographer of Seven Days Walking, featured in Madison Ballet's upcoming performance, ChoreograpHER [http://madisonballet.org/choreographer]. Natahlia shares her journey from growing up in a ballet family in Rio de Janeiro to becoming a principal dancer, and how an unexpected injury led her to discover her creative voice as a choreographer. She also discusses the inspiration behind Seven Days Walking, the process of staging the work on Madison Ballet dancers, and how choreography became a powerful outlet during a difficult period in her career. From watching birds on the beach to creating movement for an all-male cast, Nathalia offers insight into the creative impulses that shape her work and the evolving artistic language she is developing as both dancer and choreographer. About Nathalia Arja Nathalia Arja was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she began taking dance classes at the age of five at Escola de Danca Alice Arja. At 14, she began dancing with the Compania de Ballet do Rio de Janeiro. During her year with the company in Brazil, Arja also competed in and won several dance competitions where she was offered a scholarship for El Teatro Colón, El Ballet de Santiago, Joffrey Ballet School and Canada's National Ballet School. At 15, she received a full scholarship to attend Miami City Ballet School where she trained for three years. She joined Miami City Ballet as a school apprentice in 2009 and was promoted to member of the corps de ballet in 2011. She was promoted to soloist in 2014 and principal soloist in 2016. In March 2020, Nathalia was promoted to Principal. INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/nathaliaarja [http://instagram.com/nathaliaarja%E2%80%8B%E2%80%8B] See Seven Days Walking by Nathalia Arja LIVE in ChoreograpHER April 3-5, 2026 🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer [http://madisonballet.org/choreographer] Join the conversation! MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/ INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects [http://instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects] UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances Questions/comments? Email us at [email protected] Credits PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928