Laura Natario, MFA

lauranatario@gmail.com

LINKS E-Portfolio

PROFILE I am an accomplished dance instructor with 12 years of success educating students in a diverse range of techniques
and creative subject matter. As a dance and movement teacher, I aim to provide each child with tools and skills that
apply to their learning experience both in and outside of the dance classroom. I have a specialty in somatic-based
instruction, collaborative classroom management, and classical and contemporary movement techniques. I have
additional experience in dance performance, choreography, research, film, and multimedia production. Through
my recent work with the Child Center of New York, Blue School and various dance studio settings, I have proven
myself as a motivational leader that drives student success with innovative program development and educational
community outreach initiatives.

E M P L OY M E N T H I S TO RY

Sep 2020 — Present Dance Teacher, Modern Rhythms Dance Academy Bethpage, NY

Responsible for instructing students in Ballet and Lyrical dance techniques

Responsible for leading classroom activities
Developed and implemented weekly ballet curriculum for diverse ability levels and ages
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Implemented behavioral standards for all classrooms
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout the program
Choreographed lyrical group routine for recital performance event

Sep 2020 — Present Dance Teacher, Miss Colleen's Elite Dancentre Rockville Centre, NY

Responsible for instructing students in Jazz, Ballet, and Contemporary dance techniques

Responsible for leading classroom activities via both in person and virtual learning environments
Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for diverse techniques, ability levels, and ages
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental and behavioral needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout the program
Choreographed group routines for recital performance events

Sep 2020 — Present Dance Teacher, Performer's Edge Dance Academy Bronx, NY

Responsible for instructing students in Acrobatic dance technique

Responsible for leading classroom activities for both in person and virtual learning environments
Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for diverse techniques, ability levels, and ages
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Implemented behavioral standards for all classrooms
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout the program
Choreographed group routines for recital performance events

Sep 2020 — Jun 2021 Dance Teacher, Encore Dance Academy Holbrook, NY

Responsible for instructing students in Ballet dance technique

Responsible for leading classroom activities
Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for diverse techniques, ability levels, and ages
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
 Implemented behavioral standards for all classrooms
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout the program

Oct 2019 — Jul 2020 Dance Specialist, Child Center of New York Richmond Hills, NY

Responsible for leading classroom activities

Developed and implemented weekly creative movement curriculum for kindergarten through 5th grade
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Transitioned curriculum to remote synchronous learning
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program
Choreographed and produced winter student performance for community

Jan 2019 — Jun 2020 After School Instructor, Blue School Manhattan, NY

Responsible for leading classroom activities

Developed and implemented weekly creative movement curriculum for a mixed aged class of kindergarten
through 3rd grade students
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program

Sep 2018 — May 2020 Dance Teacher, Front and Center for the Performing Arts Springfield, NJ

Responsible for instructing students in Jazz, Acrobatic, and Hip Hop dance techniques
Responsible for leading classroom activities 
Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for diverse techniques, ability levels, and ages 
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program
Choreographed solo and group routines for competition and recital performance events

Aug 2017 — May 2018 Ballet Teacher, Defying Gravity Cartaret, NJ

Responsible for leading classroom activities

Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for ballet students of 8 through 18 years old and beginner to
advanced ability levels
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with supervisor concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program

Aug 2015 — May 2016 Teacher, Amherst Ballet Amherst, MA

Responsible for leading classroom activities

Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for creative movement and pre-ballet students
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with school director concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program
Choreographed routines for spring lower school performance

Mar 2014 — Jun 2016 Teacher, Karen's Dance Studio Greenfield, MA

Founded and co-directed the Ballet School at Karen's Dance Studio

 Produced biannual full length ballet performances
Responsible for leading classroom activities
Developed and implemented weekly ballet and contemporary curriculum for students ages 4 through 18 and
beginner through advanced ability level
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with studio director concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives  throughout training

Aug 2014 — Mar 2016 Ballet and Pre-Professional Programs Director, Alia Professional Fitchburg, MA
Dance Company
Founded and directed company's ballet education program
Instructed students on a variety of topics including composition, career development and creative theory
Responsible for leading classroom activities
Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for 12 through 18 year old advanced students 
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with co-directors concerning students developmental needs
Secured grant funding to support performative and educational opportunities
Secured full scholarship for all pre-professional dance students
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program

Aug 2014 — Dec 2015 Ballet Director, Academy of Dance Arts Leominster, MA

Responsible for leading classroom activities

Developed and implemented weekly curriculum for 8 to 18 year old ballet students
Differentiated curriculum for various types of learners
Met and debriefed with studio director concerning students developmental needs
Tracked student growth and reevaluated classroom objectives throughout program
Choreographed and produced biannual ballet performances

Jul 2015 — Aug 2016 Teacher, The Dance Studio Wilbraham, MA

Aug 2015 — May 2016 Teacher, Artistic Dance Conservatory East Longmeadow, MA

Sep 2013 — May 2014 Teacher, Studio B Dance Studio Eastchester, NY

Aug 2012 — May 2013 Dance Teacher and Gymnastics Coach, Nashville Gymnastics Nashville, TN
Training Center

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE

Nov 2021 — Present Dancer and Choreographer, BonesWild Dance Collective New York, NY

Jul 2018 — Nov 2020 Dancer and Choreographer, eSKay Arts Collective New York, NY

Aug 2014 — Mar 2016 President, Friends of Alia NPO Fitchburg, MA

Dec 2014 — Feb 2015 Selection Panelist, Massachusetts Dance Festival Amherst, MA

Nov 2014 — Jan 2015 Guest Choreographer, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA

Aug 2012 — May 2013 Second Company Trainee, Nashville Ballet Nashville, TN

Aug 2012 — May 2013 Office Assistant, Nashville Ballet Nashville, TN

INTERNSHIPS

Sep 2021 — Oct 2021 Muse Scholar Mentor, CUNY Hunter College Muse Program New York, NY

Sep 2010 — May 2012 Ballet Teacher, University of Massachusetts, Amherst Amherst, MA

Sep 2007 — May 2008 Ballet Teacher, Pioneer Valley Performing Arts High School Hadley, MA

E D U C AT I O N

Jun 2020 — May 2022 MA Dance Education, Hunter College New York, NY

Jun 2016 — Jun 2018 MFA Dance and Creative Practice, Saint Mary's College of Moraga, CA
California

Sep 2009 — Jun 2012 BFA Dance, University of Massachusetts Amherst, MA

Sep 2008 — May 2009 BFA Ballet Pedagogy, University of Hartford West Hartford, CT

SKILLS Pilates Mat Teacher Certified Microsoft Office

Film Making MacOS
Dance Production Mind and Body
Sound Design Logic
Zoom Final Cut Pro
Microsoft Teams Qlab

REFERENCES References available upon request