MN
CHOREOGRAPHERS
CHOREOGRAPHERS
**Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer
Michal Rynia, a world-renowned Artistic Director, Choreographer, and Dancer born in Poland, has achieved significant success in the hip-hop and theatrical worlds. His journey from dance competitions to prestigious institutions like Codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy, and the creation of MN Dance Company with Nastja Bremec Rynia, has shaped a legacy of emotionally resonant performances. Their innovative "Contemporary Fusion" style and acclaimed works have captivated audiences globally. Collaborations with BTS and award-winning dance films like "Horizon" showcase their artistic depth and originality. As the Artistic Director of MN Dance Company, Michal is leading the development of a dance program for the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025. Join us on this captivating journey through the exploration of movement and cutting-edge technologies to experience a spectacular outdoor performance in 2025. Michal Rynia's ongoing odyssey in the contemporary dance scene continues to inspire and push boundaries, solidifying his position as one of the most innovative artists in the field.
Visit Michal's Instagram page.
**Artistic Director, Choreographer, Dancer
Born on February 2, 1984, in Wroclaw, Poland, Michal Rynia embarked on his dance journey in the vibrant hip-hop scene. His remarkable success in dance competitions culminated in multiple victories, including being crowned the Polish National Champion and achieving an extraordinary five-time hip-hop World Champion title. Additionally, he triumphed at the National Championships in the Netherlands for hip-hop solo Adults on two occasions. However, it was his profound love for the theatre that would ultimately sculpt his future.
Michal's passion for the theatrical world blossomed as he collaborated with the Wroclaw Polish Theater under the guidance of director Jan Szurmiej, embodying the character of the boy from the future in "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn". The resounding success of this performance fueled his fervor for more theatrical endeavors, eventually leading him to enroll in the prestigious Codarts Dance Academy in Rotterdam. Michal made history as the first urban dancer to be accepted into this esteemed institution and was honored with a scholarship from the Corrie Hartong Dance Fund.
During his tenure at Codarts, Michal danced in works by renowned choreographers such as Jiří Kylián, Ed Wubbe, Guy Weizman, and Roni Haver from Club Guy & Roni. He performed in multiple productions by Andre Gingras and danced "Bolero" from Maurice Bejart with the Bejart Ballet Lausanne Company in Amsterdam, significantly honing his craft. His inaugural solo piece, "Dream of Electric Sheep," captivated audiences at the Royal Opera House in London and the iTs Festival in Amsterdam, earning rave reviews from leading dance publications.
“Michal Rynia's hip-hop solo, with the wonderfully electric title 'Dreams of Electric Sheep,' was an exhilarating experience. His gangsta outfit and riveting deadpan hard man gaze were spot on, leaving the audience craving for more.” (Review excerpt from Donnachadh McCarty, Dance Europe, at the ROH Linbury Studio, London).
After graduating in 2007, Michal dazzled audiences as a guest dancer with the Scapino Ballet Rotterdam, where he co-created and performed in the choreography "B.A.M." He delved into choreography and crafted stirring performances for the Rotterdam Academy and various theaters in the Netherlands. Some notable works include "The Myth" for the De Gouvernestraat theater in Rotterdam and "Dust in the Wind" for the Korzo Theater in Den Haag. His duet "Switched," showcased at the Lucent Theater by the Netherlands Dance Theater, stood out in his early career.
“In 'B.A.M,' music from Bach's solo cello suite forms the backdrop to some of the most intense dancing of the evening, simply astounding. An unforgettable image is Michal Rynia in his terrific sideways swings, releasing a shower of sweat from his hair, beautifully caught by the spotlight overhead." (Review excerpt from Ali Mahbouba, Dance Europe, at Tools in Schouwburg Theatre Rotterdam).
The convergence of Michal Rynia and Nastja Bremec Rynia's dance paths during their studies at the Codarts Rotterdam Dance Academy marked the inception of a significant partnership. They embarked on creating impactful dance performances, conducting international workshops, and choreographing for the popular Dutch program "So You Think You Can Dance."
In 2008, Michal co-founded the acclaimed MN Dance Company with fellow dancer Nastja Bremec Rynia, introducing the innovative "Contemporary Fusion" style that seamlessly blends diverse dance techniques. Their collaborative efforts have given rise to emotionally resonant performances like "Story We Tell," "Chained," "Room with a View," "Tie," "Conspiracy of Silence," "ON/A," "Labyrinth," "DE-SET," "Icarus," "Perpetuum Mobile," "Step Out of My Shadow PI314," "To the Moon and Back," "THE DistANCE," "Line," and "Flights," garnering international acclaim for their artistic depth and originality. Their dedication and artistry have earned them accolades from the Municipality of Nova Gorica and the Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba in 2018.
A pivotal moment for Michal and Nastja was their award-winning performance at the prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in 2019. Their mesmerizing choreography in "All Directions" received standing ovations. In 2022, "Step Out of My Shadow PI314," an enthralling dance duet by Michal and Nastja, was celebrated as the best dance duo and performance of the year, captivating audiences with their chemistry and innovative choreography.
Delving into the intersection of art and dance, Michal views the dancer as a storyteller of profound themes and truths, exploring human intimacy and societal essence through contemporary or mythological forms intertwined with archetypal motifs that captivate audiences with their emotional, aesthetic, and artistic depth.
Michal and Nastja's foray into the realm of dance on screen has yielded exceptional results. Their groundbreaking video, "Land of All," has garnered a significant viewership and received a wave of positive reactions on their YouTube channel. Renowned for their innovative approach to partnering in contemporary dance, the video was showcased at the prestigious San Francisco Dance Film Festival in 2017.
Collaborations, including the widely acclaimed music video "Black Swan" filmed in Los Angeles for the popular Korean k-pop group BTS, have further solidified their presence on the global stage. These cinematic works have amassed millions of views and garnered widespread acclaim across various international platforms, including The Rolling Stone, MSM, Dance Magazine, Metro UK, MTV, Billboard, BBC News, Los Angeles Times, etc...
MN's Art Video "Set I" was honored as the Video of the Month by Dance Magazine in 2020, while their 2022 dance film "Horizon" was hailed as the best dance film of the year, earning prestigious awards at the KRAFFT Festival.
As the artistic director of MN Dance Company, Michal plays a crucial role in developing dance programs for the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025. Actively engaged in curating a program that significantly promotes dance culture in the border area and internationally, the MN International Ensemble plays a central role in the ECoC program, "Borderless Body." This exploration of movement will lead artists and researchers on a captivating journey through the artistic interpretation of the body, integrating cutting-edge technologies such as artificial intelligence and robotics. The culmination of this research will be showcased in a spectacular outdoor performance in 2025.
Michal Rynia's ongoing odyssey as a director, choreographer, and dancer continues to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide, solidifying his legacy as one of the most innovative artists in the contemporary dance scene. Together with Nastja Bremec Rynia, their collaborative efforts continue to push boundaries, creating emotionally resonant performances that resonate on a global scale.
PROJECTS
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2014
2011
2009
CHOREOGRAPHIC MINIATURES
2019
2015
2011
2010
2009
2008
FILM / VIDEO
2023
Screened – Dance Camera North Film Festival 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Manifest Dance-Film Festival 2024 in Pondicherry, India. Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema 2024 Boulder, Colorado USA.
2022
Screened – San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2022, USA. Festival of Slovenian Film 2022, Portorož, Slovenja. KRAFFT Festival 2022 Kranj, Slovenja.
– Horizon has been recognized for its outstanding performance in the film and audiovisual art form at the KRAFFT Festival, receiving the prestigious LOK award from the Association of Slovenian Audiovisual Actors (Društvo DSI).
– Horizon, has been crowned as the best dance film of the year 2022 by Niko Goršič's selections, featured on the esteemed portal PARADA PLESA.
2021
2020
Screened – Moving Body Festival Varna 2020, Bulgaria.
2016
Screened – San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2017, USA.
2015
2010
2013
2012
CHOREOGRAPHIC AND DANCE COLLABORATIONS
2013
2012
2010
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2001
CHOREOGRAPHY FOR THEATER
2015
2012
2013
2014
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
** Director, Choreographer, Dancer
Nastja Bremec Rynia is a renowned director, choreographer, and dancer, hailing from Slovenia. With a background in classical ballet and contemporary dance, Nastja has garnered international acclaim for her emotionally charged performances. Alongside Michal Rynia, she co-founded MN Dance Company, known for pushing boundaries and inspiring audiences globally. Their innovative choreography has been featured at prestigious venues and festivals, earning them numerous awards and recognition. Nastja's artistic vision extends beyond the stage, contributing to developing dance programs and exploring the fusion of dance and technology. As a dynamic force in the contemporary dance world, Nastja continues to captivate and inspire with her creative storytelling and inventive movements.
Visit Nastja's Instagram page.
** Director, Choreographer, Dancer
Nastja Bremec Rynia, born on October 6, 1986, in Šempeter pri Gorici, Slovenia, embarked on her dance journey at a young age, excelling in classical ballet and contemporary dance and earning numerous accolades. Her exceptional talent led her to study under esteemed Italian choreographers Mauro Astolfi and Erika Silgoner, securing a scholarship to join Spellbound Dance Company and Esklan. Nastja continued to refine her craft at the CODARTS - Rotterdam Dance Academy, collaborating with renowned choreographers and teachers and showcasing her skills in works by choreographers like Nacho Duato and Michele Pogliani.
Following her graduation, Nastja performed with Scapino Ballet Rotterdam before realizing her true calling lay in the creative expression of dance. Alongside Michal Rynia, she delved into a collaborative journey, working on innovative projects at prestigious venues such as Korzo Theatre and Schouwburg Rotterdam. In 2008, they co-founded MN Dance Company in Slovenia, where they continuously push boundaries and inspire audiences with their inventive choreography and artistic vision.
Their partnership gave rise to emotionally charged performances like "Story We Tell," "Chained," "Room with a View," "Tie," "Conspiracy of Silence," "ON/A," "Labyrinth," "DE-SET," "Icarus," "Perpetuum Mobile," "Step Out of My Shadow PI314," "To the Moon and Back," "THE DISTANCE," "Line," and "Flights," garnering international acclaim for their creativity and depth. The duo's exceptional work earned praise from the Municipality of Nova Gorica and the Municipality of Šempeter-Vrtojba in 2018.
A pivotal moment for Nastja and Michal was their award-winning performance at the prestigious Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival in 2019, where their captivating choreography in the piece "All Directions" received standing ovations. In 2022, their dance duet "Step Out of My Shadow PI314" was celebrated as the best dance duo and performance of the year, captivating audiences with their chemistry and inventive movements.
Delving into the fusion of art and dance, Nastja sees dancers as storytellers who explore profound themes and truths through contemporary or mythological forms interwoven with archetypal motifs, captivating audiences with emotional, aesthetic, and artistic depth.
Their exploration of dance in the digital realm has yielded impressive results , with their groundbreaking video "Land of All" receiving significant viewership and positive feedback on their YouTube channel. Known for their innovative approach to contemporary dance partnering, their work was featured at the prestigious San Francisco Dance Film Festival in 2017.
Collaborations, such as the acclaimed music video "Black Swan" created in Los Angeles for the popular Korean k-pop group BTS, have further solidified their global presence. These cinematic creations have garnered millions of views and widespread acclaim across various international platforms including The Rolling Stone, MSM, Dance Magazine, Metro UK, MTV, Billboard, BBC News, and the Los Angeles Times.
MN's Art Video "Set I" was recognized as the Video of the Month by Dance Magazine in 2020, while their 2022 dance film "Horizon" was honored as the best dance film of the year, earning prestigious awards at the KRAFFT Festival.
Playing a vital role as the director of MN Dance Company, Nastja actively contributes to developing dance programs for the European Capital of Culture GO! 2025. She is instrumental in curating a program that promotes dance culture in the border area and internationally, with the MN International Ensemble playing a central role in the ECoC program with their project titled "Borderless Body". This exploration into movement will guide artists and researchers in interpreting the body through cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, culminating in a spectacular outdoor performance in 2025.
Nastja's journey as a director, choreographer, and dancer continues to captivate and inspire global audiences, establishing her as innovative artists in the contemporary dance scene. Together with Michal Rynia, their collaborative ventures consistently push boundaries, creating emotionally resonant performances with a lasting impact on a worldwide scale.
PROJECTS
2024
2023
2023
2022
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2014
2011
2009
CHOREOGRAPHIC MINIATURES
2019
2015
2011
2010
2006
2005
2004
FILM / VIDEO
2023
Screened – Dance Camera North Film Festival 2024 in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Manifest Dance-Film Festival 2024 in Pondicherry, India. Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema 2024 Boulder, Colorado USA.
2022
Screened – San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2022, USA. Festival of Slovenian Film Portorož 2022, Slovenja. KRAFFT Festival Kranj, 2022 Slovenja.
– Horizon has been recognized for its outstanding performance in the film and audiovisual art form at the KRAFFT Festival, receiving the prestigious LOK award from the Association of Slovenian Audiovisual Actors (Društvo DSI).
– Horizon, has been crowned as the best dance film of the year 2022 by Niko Goršič's selections, featured on the esteemed portal PARADA PLESA.
2021
2020
2020
Screened – Moving Body Festival Varna 2020, Bulgaria.
2016
Screened – San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2017, USA.
2015
2010
2013
2012
2012
