October 27, 2010
Why did you become a dancer?
In my teenage years, I had a hard time finding my voice and dance was a means of expression for me. Every time I danced, it felt right. I felt like I could express myself better in movement than I did verbally, like people would understand me better when I danced. Now I do it because even though I enjoy being on stage, it is the process of getting there that excites me the most. The rehearsals and learning a new routine are more intense than being on stage. Sometimes, after endless hours of rehearsal, I get on stage and think “this is it?”, but I always want to do it again.
Dancing is both physically and mentally demanding, how do you keep yourself going?
I love "the chase" – the whole process of learning the choreography and getting it on point. I feel like I haven’t danced that much, I want to keep on going! I want to keep learning about dance. When I do different styles I try to really understand the cultural background of the dance. When I started dancing salsa I studied the culture, where it’s from, why it is danced the way it’s danced. It’s the same with hip hop and all the other genres that I’ve learnt. I just love going from one genre to the next. One day I will be feeling salsa and then the next I’ll want to dance hip-hop. I just listen to my heart, that’s what keeps me dancing.
What are the skills that have contributed to your success?
Stubbornness, my ability to hustle, and always thinking that I am a beginner. If you go in [to rehearsal or class] with hunger to learn, whatever it is, you have a better chance of actually learning. If you think you know already you’re in trouble because there is always something to learn.
How did living in Toronto contribute to your career? (Natalli currently resides in LA)
Toronto is a great place for dreaming, it is also a great place for training. There’s some great talent in Toronto.
On working with Janet: " She's my idol! It was always a dream of mine to dance with her. I was really excited. Those were the best months of my life. The were tough but it was a joy, I feel so lucky to have been there. "
After my interview with Natalli was finished, I couldn't help but to reflect on the importance of dreaming big and adapting to the different circumstances that our dreams take us through. It might take a lot of "hustling" but in the end, our limits are as high as we set them. Whether life is a smooth waltz or a chaotic krump, you have to keep on dancing.
*photos are courtesy of Natalli Reznik and ctv.ca
*photos are courtesy of Natalli Reznik and ctv.ca
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Love her!
She's such a sweet girl! It's hard not to!
and she is super talented!
What a babe! deft. one of my favorite dancers! so happy that she has accomplished so much!