Natalia sofia Velarde salazar

Natalia began dancing at the age of three and received her early training at Ballet Academy by Maruja Herrera in Panamá. She has performed with the Youth Ballet Academy and the National Ballet of Panamá, and was invited to train at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Russia. During the pandemic, she continued her studies at Kirov Academy of Ballet in Washington, D.C., graduating with honors and receiving the President’s Award. Natalia recently graduated from Butler University with High Distinction, earning a double major in Dance Pedagogy and Psychology, where she performed featured roles including the Sugar Plum Fairy and William Forsythe’s Berio Suite. Passionate about both performance and education, she looks forward to continuing her artistic growth while inspiring future generations of dancers.