NASTJA BREMEC RYNIA
** 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
- FLIGHTS, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Adriatic Dance Festival Budva, Montenegro, Budva Travel, GO! 2025 – Adriatic Dance Festival Budva, Montenegro.
- LINE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Balkan Dance Procject, GO! 2025, Festival Velenje – SLG Celje, Slovenja, Cultural House Velenje, Slovenja.
2023
- The DistANCE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, GO! 2025, MONG, Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana. Adriatic Dance Festival Budva, Montenegro.
2023
- TO THE MOON AND BACK, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, GO! 2025, – SNG N.Gorica, Dance Theather Ljubljana, R.O.R Festival Nova Gorica, Slovenja. Amphitheater Castle Kromberk Nova Gorica, Slovenja. Interurbán festival in Veszprem, Hungary.
2022
- STEP OUT OF MY SHADOW PI314, director: Neda Rusjab Bric, choreography M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Dance Theather Ljubljana, – Dance Theather Ljubljana, Piran Festival - Tartini Theather Piran, Slovenja.
2022
- PERPETUUM MOBILE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, GO! 2025, MONG, Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana. Budva Adriatic Dance Festival Budva, Montenegro.
2021
- ICARUS, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, GO! 2025, MONG, Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica, Artisti Associati – SNG N.Gorica, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
2020
- GO! BORDERLESS, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with GO! 2025, MONG, Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica – Europe Square.
2019
- DE-SET, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, Slovene National Theatre Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica. FRONTA, Festival of Contemporary Dance, Murska Sobota, 2020. International festival of contemporary dance Horizont, Kamaraszínház, Miskolc, Hungary, 2021. Kosovelov Dom Sežana, Slovenja, 2022. InDanza 22 Festival Rovereto, Auditorium Fausto Melotti Rovereto, Italy, 2022. InDanza 22 Festival Trento, Teatro SanbàPolis Trento, Italy, 2022. De Dansweek Festival, Theater Rotterdam, Netherlands, 2022. Tanz Moderne Tanz Festival, Chemnitz, Germany, 2022. DAP Festival, Pietrasanta, Italy, 2022. Kleist Forum Frankfurt (Oder), Germany, 2022. SLG Celje, Slovenja 2024.
2018
- LABYRINTH, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Sloven National Theatre Nova Gorica, Theatre Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica, International Storytelling Festival Graz, DAP festival Pietrasanta, Italy.
2017
- S/HE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Sloven National Theatre Nova Gorica, Theatre Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica Theater Rotterdam Theater Netherlands, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, Kosovelov Dom Sežana, Slovenja.
2016
- CONSPIRACY OF SILENCE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company with Sloven National Theater Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica, Teatro Comunale di Cormons, Italy, Rotterdam Schouwburg Theater, Netherlands.
2014
- URBAN TALES – ROOM WITH A VIE, TIE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company with Sloven National Theater Nova Gorica – SNG N.Gorica, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, Scena Otwarta Poland, Cultural House Gorizia, Kosovelov dom Sežana.
2011
- THE MYTH, M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company with De Gouvernestraat Theatre Rotterdam and Cankarjev dom Ljubljana – De Gouvernestraat Theater Rotterdam, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, SNG N.Gorica, Belef Summer festival in Belgrade.
2009
- DUST IN THE WIND, M. Rynia, N. Bremec, MN Dance Company – Theater Lantaren Venster Rotterdam, Korzo Theater Den Haag; Center kulture Španski borci Ljubljana; Anfiteatro delle Cascine Firence, Italia.
CHOREOGRAPHIC MINIATURES
2019
- ALL DIRECTIONS, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Jacobs Pillow Dance Festival, New York USA.
- TO THE SIDE AND AROUND, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company for Codarts – Rotterdam Dance Academy, Rotterdam Netherlands.
2015
- FRAMED, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, City Gallery Nova Gorica, Teatro dei Giovanni Udine, Serbian National Theatre Belgrade.
2011
- CHAINED, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, Avditorij Portorož, Slovene National Theater Maribor,Teatro dei Giovanni Udine, Lutkovno gledališče Maribor, Serbian National Theater Belgrade.
2010
- THE STORY WE TELL, M. Rynia and N. Bremec MN Dance Company, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana, Avditorij Portorož, Slovene National Theater Nova Gorica, Theater Pordenone, Theater Udine, Serbian National Theater Belgrade.
2006
- SANJE, N. Bremec, Association of Ballet Artist of Slovenia, Opera and Ballet Ljubljana, Opera and Ballet Maribor
2005
- FRAGMENTI, N. Bremec, for ballet competition, Opera and Ballet Ljubljana.
2004
- INFINITO, N. Bremec and N. Pilipovič, for choreography competition Opus 1, SLG Celje.
FILM / VIDEO
2023
- LAYERS, dance film; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: F. Šulin, M. Rynia.
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
- HORIZON, dance film; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: F. Šulin, M. Rynia.
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
- WAITING, dance film; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: U.Košir, M. Rynia.
2020
- BLACK SWAN, dance film; BTS, Big Hit Entertainment, Freenjoy,Y.Choi (Lumpens) M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company.
- CONTEMPORARY DANCE DUET, dance film; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: U.Košir, F. Šulin, M. Rynia.
2020
- SET I, series of dance films; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: F. Šulin, U.Košir, M.Rynia.
Screened – Moving Body Festival Varna 2020, Bulgaria.
2016
- LAND OF ALL, dance film; M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing: G. Ippolito.
Screened – San Francisco Dance Film Festival 2017, USA.
2015
- ROOM WITH A VIEW, dance film, M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing F. Sulin and A. Novak.
2010
- INFRA, dance film, M. Rynia & N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing F.Sulin and A.Novak.
2013
- PERSEVERANCE, whole evening film, director: Miha Knific (Michal Rynia & Nastja Bremec made 7 min, long choreography, for dancers from SNG Opera in Balet Ljubljana and Sng Opera in Balet Maribor), Nukleus film, Slovenski filmski sklad.
2012
- CONTEMPORARY DANCE PERFORMANCE, M. Rynia and N. Bremec, MN Dance Company, recording and editing A. Novak.
2012
- MOMENT OF FEVER, dance film, director: Svetlana Dramlić, choreography and dance: Michal Rynia and Nastja Bremec, MN Dance Company, RTV Slovenija, Studio Arkadena.