For Natasha Ames, dance has always been a language before words, the first way she knew how to speak. Growing up adopted into a new family and culture, she found herself in between stories, searching for a sense of belonging. Movement became her place of truth, the space where she could explore her identity, claim her body, and speak without explanation. From her earliest days, every step was an act of resilience, discovery, and expression.
Her training is steeped in both classical precision and modern freedom: The Washington Ballet, the Kirov Academy of Ballet, and a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Towson University. Her range stretches beyond ballet into hip-hop, aerial, and salsa, making her artistry a seamless blend of discipline and experimentation. Now in her second season with Dana Tai Soon Burgess Dance Company, she continues to expand her craft, dancing through themes of identity, resilience, and the beauty of human connection. For Natasha, the body is not only a vessel for story but also a responsibility. “Because of adoption, I was given opportunities many never receive,” she reflects. “This privilege drives my passion to make dance accessible for all, ensuring movement remains open and inclusive, regardless of one’s background or financial means.”
In Vietnamerica: The Musical, Natasha carries this conviction into new territory. “Though the story isn’t mine, I approach it with empathy and respect, carrying the weight of survival, sacrifice, and hope in every step,” she says. Learning about Vietnamese culture has revealed for her the universality of resilience, a strength that runs like a current through all communities. Each rehearsal is both a challenge and a gift. She describes the cast as grounded, open, and fierce, a family that celebrates and uplifts one another. The generosity of her castmates and the steady guidance of Thang Dao have made the studio a space of trust and unity. In her words, “Together, we are creating more than a show; we are building a space for healing and connection.”
What Natasha hopes most is that audiences feel the truth pulsing beneath the choreography. “When people watch Vietnamerica, I hope they feel the echoes of history and the pulse of hope,” she says. For her, dance is more than performance—it is storytelling, healing, and a bridge between worlds.
On September 7, 2025, at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Natasha Ames will take the stage with the weight of history and the brightness of hope. To watch her dance is to witness language beyond words, movement that speaks for the silences in all of us.
Let Natasha’s story speak to you—reserve your seat here: https://www.ticketsonsale.com/tickets/vietnamerica-capital-one-hall-tysons-9-7-2025-5818424