Nastja Bremec Rynia

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. 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.