Michal Rynia

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.

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. 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. 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.