For junior Natália Araújo do Carmo, the performing arts have always been more than just a hobby—they’re a lifelong passion and a powerful means of expression. From her early years in ballet class to ten years with a Brazilian folkloric dance group, Natália’s journey has been filled with movement, music, and connection. As a student at Notre Dame, she continues to nurture her love for the arts as a DPAC ambassador, helping others experience the same joy and inspiration she’s felt for years.
Learn more about Natália in our latest Student Spotlight.
What role do you play in the performing arts community at Notre Dame?
Because of my time commitments to other activities, I have not participated in any of the amazing productions put together by students at Notre Dame. However, I join dance classes with RitmoND and the Ballet Club whenever I have the opportunity—it is a great way to destress and reconnect with my past as a competitive dancer. That is also why I started working as a DPAC ambassador. Even if I am no longer a performer, I can stay connected with the performing arts and help share them with the Notre Dame community. Even if you don’t want to perform, there are so many different ways to be a part of the performing arts community at Notre Dame!
What inspired you to pursue the performing arts, and how did you get started?
My parents put me in a ballet class when I was two years old, so I quite literally don’t remember what my life was like before the performing arts. I immediately fell in love with dance. There is nothing like moving your body to the music to express different messages and feelings. I felt so connected to the music that I also decided to learn how to play the piano, which I still love doing. When I was eight, I had the opportunity to audition for a Brazilian folkloric dance group. It was unlike anything I knew, but I couldn’t think of anything more exciting than learning different dance styles, especially ones that were a reflection of my country’s beautiful and diverse culture.
Who or what has influenced your journey in the performing arts?
I was part of a Brazilian folkloric dance group for 10 years before moving here for college. One time, we went on tour in Portugal, where we visited nursing homes and schools in each city in between performances. In one of the nursing homes, after a short performance, we invited the residents to learn the popular “forró” rhythm with us. I started dancing with a lovely lady who sat in a wheelchair. She was very emotional and told me how thankful she was for the fact that I took her out to dance, as it was a reminder that she was still allowed to do it at her old age. She told me she had been a dancer in the past and reconnecting with that part of herself was very special. I will never forget this interaction. As performers, we usually don’t get to talk to the audience and learn how our art has impacted them. But this was a reminder that art is a powerful force that touches people’s souls. Every person that watches an art performance comes out changed by it somehow, even if just a little. There is so much beauty in that. And this was also an important reminder for me: there is no right age or condition to do art: all you need is the passion.
Do you have a favorite performance (whether you attended or participated in), role, or project you’ve worked on? Why was it special to you?
Back in my hometown, I participated in an original ballet production based on the novel “The Secret Garden” by Frances Hodgson Burnett. I got to play one of the main characters, Dickon, which was a really fun challenge as he is a boy. It was an amazing opportunity to mix acting and dancing and deeply think about how I could convey emotions and personality using my dance moves, facial expressions, and body language. Since we were creating this ballet from scratch, every piece of it was crafted with tons of love and thought. The backstage was incredible—I needed a lot of help and teamwork to make 30 second outfit changes work. This shared dedication to the art is one of the aspects I miss the most about dance. I will always hold this production very close to my heart.
How has your experience in the performing arts shaped you as a person?
I would not be who I am today if it weren’t for the performing arts. Growing up as a dancer ingrained the importance of discipline and consistency into my brain, and this shapes how I approach everything in life. As my dance teachers used to say, what you do every day in rehearsal is what you end up doing on stage—so I try to do my best every day. Dance also taught me that I am capable of a lot more than I think. I am not afraid to have ambitious dreams and work hard to achieve them. This extends to my relationship with exercise as well. I love exploring different ways to move my body and push it to its limits while avoiding injury. Dance taught me a great deal about the importance of physical preparation and of listening to my body.
How has DPAC influenced your experience with the arts at ND?
DPAC has encouraged me to explore different genres of the performing arts that I wasn’t so familiar with. Naturally, I always attend dance and orchestra performances since they align with my background. But I have seen a bit of everything at DPAC, from Shakespeare plays to singers and choirs, student performances, and even movie live scores with DJs. There is so much more to the performing arts than those I take part in, and I have really enjoyed expanding my horizons at DPAC.
Though she’s no longer dancing competitively, Natália’s love for the performing arts continues to shape and inspire her. Whether she’s dancing with RitmoND, attending diverse performances at DPAC, or helping audiences discover new favorites, she remains deeply connected to the artistic world.
Natália’s path reminds us that you don’t need to be in the spotlight to make an impact—there’s beauty in staying connected, sharing the arts with others, and finding joy in every role you play.
