Dario Natarelli, age 9, has been mentored by the incomparable Robert L. Reed since the age of 7. Reed has guided Dario and given him the skills to grow as a dancer to watch. He was picked by Reed to represent him in his pre-professional youth group, The St. Louis Hoofers, for the past 2 years. The Hoofers have performed all over the world and Dario has had the opportunity to perform with them on television in St. Louis, as well as at the Touhill Center for Performing arts 2 years in a row. Reed has also given him the opportunity to work with such extraordinary industry leaders as: the legendary Arthur Duncan, the icon Dr. Jimmy Slyde, the celebrated Dr. Prince Spencer, the ever-vivacious Harold Cromer, and more. Since relocating to the NYC area, Dario has been using the skills taught to him by Reed to impress a new and welcoming audience. He has performed with Tap City as a solo artist at The Duke Theater on 42nd Street and also won a spot performing with the pros in the American Tap Dance Foundation’s Evening Stars production at Battery Park this summer and has a great reputation for his professionalism and talent among many of the professional dancers he’s had the pleasure of dancing with in NY -- even winning a Tap Youth Tap Future Award from Tony Waag after being nominated by Jason Samuels Smith. As for expanding his respect of the dance, Dario had the honor of assisting Reed with Logan Miller and Devan Watring as Reed taught a master class in NY.
Dario has won critical acclaim for performances around the city. The NY Times called him “…an amazing 9…year-old boy, Dario” and the Star Ledger wrote: “This program illustrates… how much amazing talent can fit into a tiny frame. Nine-year-old Dario Natarelli, of Edgewater, for instance, proved himself the master of a complex routine choreographed by Robert Reed.” Just recently, Dario performed at Tradition In Tap and shortly after was mentioned on Dance Spirit Magazine’s website: “Dario Natarelli, a young tapper, was absolutely amazing! Keep an eye out for him in the next few years (trust me, he will be a star!)” He has tapped with the talented Miriam Nelson, Dianne “Lady Di” Walker, Karen Callaway Williams, Jason Samuels Smith, Chloe Arnold, Germaine Salsberg, Rod Ferrone, Avi Miller and Ofer Ben, Robert Reed III, Bril Barrett, Reggio McLaughlin, Ray Hesselink, Rusty Frank, Kathleen Cirioli, and many more. Upcoming projects include working on a project with Kendrick Jones over the holiday.
In addition to his tap studies, Dario studies classical ballet at Alvin Ailey Studio with master teacher Finis Jhung, and takes Jazz, Latin Jazz and Hip Hop at Broadway Dance Center, Modern Dance, Acting, and Singing at The Neighborhood Playhouse, NYC. He also works with different teachers and coaches for acting and singing in the NY area. He was recently one of four kids picked to dance in a routine choreographed by famed choreographer, Brian “BT” Thomas for the 81st Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade Sesame Street Float and was also picked for a choreography showcase by Jazz and Musical Theater Choreographer, Joshua Bergasse. Dario has done video projects for Kidz Bop and Cartoon Network and will be in the Off-Broadway play, “Once On This Island, Jr.” in January 2008.
Dario looks forward to a long career in performing arts because as he says, “I like to dance because it entertains people and makes them smile.” May the Tap Gods always be with him.