Director, Children’s Performance Workshop, Youth Dance Ensemble, Adult Ballet Ensemble

Natalia Alexandra Retzloff began her dance journey at age two and received her classical

training at Young Peoples Ballet Theatre under the direction of Denise Paavola, Jennifer Wiley, Heather Liskiewitz, and Nicholas and Laura Schultz. She was fortunate to perform in Grand Rapids Ballet’s production of The Nutcracker during her high school years. Natalia’s dedication to her craft led her to summer training at renowned institutions like Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Charlotte Ballet, North West Dance Project, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet.

Her passion for choreography emerged early on with her debut work “Shattered Reflections” winning a high school choreography competition. Over the past ten years, many of her original pieces have been premiered in Michigan and Ohio. Ms. Retzloff’s pursuit of excellence earned her in-state tuition upon acceptance into Dayton Ballet’s Second Company while pursuing a B.F.A. in Dance at Wright State University. During her college years she worked with renowned choreographers and teachers such as Dwight Rhoden, Gina Walther, Gregory Robinson, Ashley Walton-Pabst, and Glenn Edgerton.

Her love for teaching and choreography flourished, leading her to teach and set original works on various esteemed institutions, including Young People’s Ballet Theatre, Fenton Ballet Theatre, CARE Conservatory of Ballet, Wright State University Dance Ensemble, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, and Muskegon Civic Theatre.

Now as a member of FSPA’s Dance Faculty, Ms. Retzloff will serve as the Children’s Ballet Mistress for FIM’s annual production of The Nutcracker. She will contribute her expertise serving as Modern Dance Faculty as well as teaching Children’s, Intermediate, and Adult Ballet classes. Natalia will be choreographing for Flint Children’s Ballet Ensemble, Flint Youth Dance Ensemble, and Flint Adult Ballet Ensemble.

Natalia Retzloff is an ABT Certified Teacher who has successfully completed the ABT Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT National Training Curriculum. Ms. Retzloff has also been certified in the Cecchetti Method of Classical Ballet for both Grade 1 and Grade 2. She is a proud member of the Cecchetti Council of America.