In this episode of At the Barre, host Chris Farenthold, Director of Madison Ballet Special Projects, is joined by Nathalia Arja, principal dancer with Miami City Ballet and choreographer of Seven Days Walking, featured in Madison Ballet’s upcoming performance, ChoreograpHER.

Natahlia shares her journey from growing up in a ballet family in Rio de Janeiro to becoming a principal dancer, and how an unexpected injury led her to discover her creative voice as a choreographer.

She also discusses the inspiration behind Seven Days Walking, the process of staging the work on Madison Ballet dancers, and how choreography became a powerful outlet during a difficult period in her career.

From watching birds on the beach to creating movement for an all-male cast, Nathalia offers insight into the creative impulses that shape her work and the evolving artistic language she is developing as both dancer and choreographer.

About Nathalia Arja

Nathalia Arja was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where she began taking dance classes at the age of five at Escola de Danca Alice Arja. At 14, she began dancing with the Compania de Ballet do Rio de Janeiro. During her year with the company in Brazil, Arja also competed in and won several dance competitions where she was offered a scholarship for El Teatro Colón, El Ballet de Santiago, Joffrey Ballet School and Canada’s National Ballet School.

At 15, she received a full scholarship to attend Miami City Ballet School where she trained for three years. She joined Miami City Ballet as a school apprentice in 2009 and was promoted to member of the corps de ballet in 2011. She was promoted to soloist in 2014 and principal soloist in 2016. In March 2020, Nathalia was promoted to Principal.

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/nathaliaarja​​

See Seven Days Walking by Nathalia Arja LIVE in ChoreograpHER April 3-5, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

In this episode of At the Barre, host Chris Fahrenthold, Director of Madison Ballet Special Projects, is joined by Ja’ Malik, Artistic and Executive Director of Madison Ballet to discuss his artistic journey, the influences that shaped his career, and the vision guiding Madison Ballet’s future.

Ja’ Malik shares how his early ballet training, exposure to powerful artistic role models, and passion for choreography led him to a career both onstage and behind the scenes. The conversation also explores how Madison Ballet programs its seasons, supports diverse choreographic voices, and creates meaningful connections with the Madison community.

Listeners will also get a preview of the upcoming ChoreograpHER program, coming to Madison Youth Arts Center April 3–5, 2026!

About Ja’ Malik

Previous to joining Madison Ballet, Ja' Malik built a career of executing commissions from nationally-renowned dance companies and advocating for representation of Black artists. He founded and has served as Executive Director of New York City's Ballet Boy Productions, whose mission is to create pathways for young Black men to thrive in a career in dance.

In 2019, Ja' Malik collaborated with Tony-nominated Camille A. Brown on choreography for The Public Theater’s 2019 production of Ntozake Shange’s For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/When The Rainbow is Enuf, and is a former member of Cleveland Ballet, Oakland Ballet, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Nathan Trice Rituals, City Dance Ensemble, Ballet Hispanico, and Ballet X. In 2003 he graduated from the first class of Joffrey Ballet School, and New School University, BFA program.

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/ja_malik_choreographer/

See ChoreograpHER @ Madison Youth Arts Center Starlight Theatre April 3-5, 2026

🎟️ madisonballet.org/choreographer

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928

Welcome to the very first episode of At the Barre, A Madison Ballet Special Projects podcast!

In our premiere episode, Caitlin Sloan (Strategic Advisor, MBSP) interviews Madison Ballet Special Projects Director, Chris Fahrenthold to share some insight into who we are and what we do!

Key points in this episode:

• Chris’s background and journey into the ballet world
• The origin story of Madison Ballet Special Projects
• The mission of MBSP and how it fits within Madison Ballet’s broader work
• Why this work matters, and how MBSP contributes to Madison’s cultural and artistic landscape
• A look at our programming, from performances to community conversations
• What we hope audiences experience and take away from attending
• The importance of creating space for dialogue around dance
• Ways listeners can support or get involved with MBSP
• What to expect from future episodes of At The Barre

Whether you’re a longtime ballet enthusiast or simply curious about how dance gets made, this episode offers insight into the creative process and the values guiding our work.

Join the conversation!

MBSP WEBSITE: https://www.madisonballetspecialprojects.com/

INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/madisonballetspecialprojects

UPCOMING MADISON BALLET PERFORMANCES: https://www.madisonballet.org/performances

Questions/comments? Email us at hello@madisonballetspecialprojects.com

Credits

PHOTO: Matthew Ulrich

DANCER: Madison Ballet Company Artist Lauren Thompson

MUSIC: Capet String Quartet - Ravel (Col. D 15057-60) 1928