How a classically trained ballerina fell in love with new moves in SOMD s dance department

As a young dancer training for a career as a professional ballerina, Natalie Reyes dedicated herself wholly to the art. But when COVID-19 hit, her ballet company contracts were canceled, and Reyes pivoted to a job in the mortgage industry.

In 2021, she came to the University of Oregon seeking a degree in journalism or political science, but an elective dance course unexpectedly pulled her back into the world she loved and missed dearly. By fall 2022, Reyes had made dance her major at the UO School of Music and Dance.

In her courses, she found not only a return to ballet but also an expansion of her artistic world.

“Coming from such a strong foundation in ballet has been a great thing, but I’ve been able to be challenged in new idioms, such as contemporary, modern, jazz and hip-hop,” she said.

She credits African dance classes with transforming her sense of musicality.

“The contrast in how much I love ballet and grew up with that and now doing African (dance), I almost love it more right now because it’s so fun, and I can really express myself,” she said.

Now graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in dance and a minor in legal studies, Reyes will pursue a Master of Fine Arts in dance at the University of Arizona. She also will teach at the university under a graduate teaching assistant position and a full scholarship.

Her career goal is to push the boundaries of artistic innovation in ballet by collaborating with a wide range of musicians, composers and dancers.

https://news.uoregon.edu/returning-st...

Video by Dustin Whitaker
Story by Kristen Hudgins