Simple Moments of Transformation: Meet Nathalie

See the dark-haired dancer in the center of the photo? That’s Nathalie. She’s been with us since she was five years old, sporting that pink tutu in our class for “peanut” dancers. That class performed their first dance recital at Alonzo King Lines Dance Center in Studio 6. This semester, Nathalie has class three times a week in that same studio. But now, she’s a twelve-year-old dancing front and center in our group of middle school girls.

“Dance has taught me how to stay focused,” says Nathalie. “I’ve also learned about God. I know that He’s always with me and that He always protects me when I’m walking to and from dance class. He’ll also help me remember the moves if I’m onstage and I forget!”

Nathalie is in the center of the front line. She says that, of all the dances she’s performed over her seven years with us, this one is her favorite.

We’ve loved watching Nathalie grown into a poised dancer who loves the challenge of more advanced choreography, but more so, we’ve loved watching her blossom into the bright girl God has created her to be.

“Nathalie brings so much laughter to everyone—kids younger than her, older than her, and our staff,” says Gabby Alzate, our director of youth programming. “She’s a beam of joy. That’s something she’s had since she was a little kid, but she’s grown in her ability to bring joy to others as her own joy has grown.”

Nathalie is on the right, warming up at the barre with her friend Amanda.

And she doesn’t want to stop growing with us.

“I hope I get to work at BJM someday,” says Nathalie. “I would mostly teach dance, but also do other things like have people over to my house or take them out for ice cream. Or take people on fun trips, like the houseboats trip we go on every year.”

Those seemingly small moments—from slurping boba to competing in a game of Uno—are some of Nathalie’s favorite BJM memories. It’s everyday moments, especially the culmination of them, that have an enduring impact.

Nathalie sometimes gets to be in the same class as her older sister Katelyn. How special is that?

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