Nejla Yatkin is a 2023 Guggenheim Fellow in choreography and a globally acclaimed dance artist, celebrated for her ability to craft emotionally resonant and thought-provoking performances. Described by The New York Times as “magical” and praised for her “fierce and supple” movement, Nejla creates choreography that transcends traditional forms, immersing audiences in journeys that explore the complexity of human existence.
With a career spanning decades, Nejla’s work intertwines her nomadic heritage, extensive training in diverse dance traditions, and her deep curiosity about humanity’s shared struggles and triumphs. Her repertoire is informed by Dance Theater, Limon, Horton, Graham techniques, Ballet, Japanese Butoh, Middle Eastern dance, and pantomime, showcasing her ability to fluidly navigate different genres and storytelling methods.
Born in Germany, Nejla holds a Professional degree in Contemporary Dance from Die Etage in Berlin and was invited to the U.S. in 1995 under the status of an artist of extraordinary ability. In the U.S., she performed with renowned African-American repertory companies such as the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where she worked with master choreographers like Donald McKayle, Eleo Pomare, and Katherine Dunham, among others. Her collaborations also include performances with Shapiro & Smith Dance, Danza Concierto, and Burnt Sugar Danz in New York.
Nejla’s work has garnered numerous prestigious awards and commissions, including grants from the Princess Grace Foundation, the 3Arts Foundation, and the National Performance Network. She has been commissioned to create for world-class venues like the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Columbia College’s Dance Center, demonstrating her exceptional versatility as both a solo artist and group choreographer.
In addition to her choreographic achievements, Nejla is a dedicated educator. She has taught extensively at the university level, serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland and the University of Notre Dame, alongside guest teaching at institutions such as Harvard University and Bates Dance Festival. Her mentorship continues through workshops, masterclasses, and community projects that foster the next generation of artists.
Nejla’s solo performances, such as Wings of Desire, De/Reconstructing Mata Hari, and The Other Witch, reflect her personal journey and thematic exploration of identity, transformation, and culture. Her latest work, Ouroboros, an interactive solo performance, invites the audience into a circular dialogue on memory, time, and the relentless cycles of culture. The piece premiered in the spring of 2024 after earning multiple accolades, including the 2022 DCASE Esteemed Artist Award and preparing to go on a National Tour in the spring of 2025 to five cities in the US.
A global artist in every sense, Nejla has also pioneered large-scale community-driven projects such as The Berlin Wall Project and Dancing Around the World, sparking conversations about freedom, equality, and cultural boundaries. These projects have touched international audiences, inspiring reflection on the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Nejla’s commitment to both art and community is further expressed in her outreach work, where she engages with diverse populations—from teaching gentle movement to the elderly to creating virtual movement spaces during the pandemic. Currently, the dance-on-camera piece entitled Witches Cradle, a tribute to Maya Deren’s unfinished film, is touring various Film Festivals around the world. And she is performing the live stage premiere of The Other Witch at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts with support by the Illinois ARts Council.
Her work is not only an exploration of dance but a meaningful inquiry into the human condition, ensuring her place as one of the most respected voices in contemporary dance today.
With a career spanning decades, Nejla’s work intertwines her nomadic heritage, extensive training in diverse dance traditions, and her deep curiosity about humanity’s shared struggles and triumphs. Her repertoire is informed by Dance Theater, Limon, Horton, Graham techniques, Ballet, Japanese Butoh, Middle Eastern dance, and pantomime, showcasing her ability to fluidly navigate different genres and storytelling methods.
Born in Germany, Nejla holds a Professional degree in Contemporary Dance from Die Etage in Berlin and was invited to the U.S. in 1995 under the status of an artist of extraordinary ability. In the U.S., she performed with renowned African-American repertory companies such as the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble and the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, where she worked with master choreographers like Donald McKayle, Eleo Pomare, and Katherine Dunham, among others. Her collaborations also include performances with Shapiro & Smith Dance, Danza Concierto, and Burnt Sugar Danz in New York.
Nejla’s work has garnered numerous prestigious awards and commissions, including grants from the Princess Grace Foundation, the 3Arts Foundation, and the National Performance Network. She has been commissioned to create for world-class venues like the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Columbia College’s Dance Center, demonstrating her exceptional versatility as both a solo artist and group choreographer.
In addition to her choreographic achievements, Nejla is a dedicated educator. She has taught extensively at the university level, serving as an Associate Professor at the University of Maryland and the University of Notre Dame, alongside guest teaching at institutions such as Harvard University and Bates Dance Festival. Her mentorship continues through workshops, masterclasses, and community projects that foster the next generation of artists.
Nejla’s solo performances, such as Wings of Desire, De/Reconstructing Mata Hari, and The Other Witch, reflect her personal journey and thematic exploration of identity, transformation, and culture. Her latest work, Ouroboros, an interactive solo performance, invites the audience into a circular dialogue on memory, time, and the relentless cycles of culture. The piece premiered in the spring of 2024 after earning multiple accolades, including the 2022 DCASE Esteemed Artist Award and preparing to go on a National Tour in the spring of 2025 to five cities in the US.
A global artist in every sense, Nejla has also pioneered large-scale community-driven projects such as The Berlin Wall Project and Dancing Around the World, sparking conversations about freedom, equality, and cultural boundaries. These projects have touched international audiences, inspiring reflection on the interconnectedness of human experiences.
Nejla’s commitment to both art and community is further expressed in her outreach work, where she engages with diverse populations—from teaching gentle movement to the elderly to creating virtual movement spaces during the pandemic. Currently, the dance-on-camera piece entitled Witches Cradle, a tribute to Maya Deren’s unfinished film, is touring various Film Festivals around the world. And she is performing the live stage premiere of The Other Witch at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts with support by the Illinois ARts Council.
Her work is not only an exploration of dance but a meaningful inquiry into the human condition, ensuring her place as one of the most respected voices in contemporary dance today.
