Natosha Washington chosen as Distinguished Alumni

The School of Dance is pleased to announce that alum Natosha Washington has been selected for the Distinguished Alumni Arts Educator Award for her significant contributions in arts education.

Washington will be given the award at the CFA Assembly, which will take place on Wednesday, September 18 from 10:45am to 12:15pm in the Libby Gardner Concert Hall. The assembly will also celebrate the creative works and research of College of Fine Arts students and faculty.

In addition to the Assembly, Washington will also be attending a School of Dance Student Forum on Tuesday, September 17 from 10:15a-12:00p in the Hayes Christensen Theatre. School of Dance classes that meet during this time will all convene in the theatre.

Natosha Washington is a professional choreographer, director and avid educator who is passionate about all-inclusive learning. After leaving her position as the director of West High’s Dance Company and Co-Chair of the Equity and Inclusion Committee a year ago, Washington is now an Assistant Principal at East High School where you can still find her connecting with students through dance and music. Washington received the 2015 Sorenson Legacy Award for Best Secondary Dance Educator in the state of Utah and was most recently nominated for Salt Lake City School District’s 2020 Teacher of the Year Top Four.  

Washington received a BFA from the University of Utah (2004). During her time at the U, Washington's work received the Best Performance award at the American College Dance Association’s National Festival at the Kennedy Center, Washington D.C., and was featured in Dance Magazine (2004). Her work has been seen on many professional, collegiate, and secondary school companies, both in and out-of-state, including Repertory Dance Theatre, University of Alabama, University of Utah, Brigham Young University, Utah Valley University, Sunset Studio Company of West Virginia, and Saint Mary’s Hall Dance Company of Houston, Texas. Many of these works have been part of touring programs and have been seen across the United States and abroad including Russia, Croatia, New Zealand, Brazil, Fiji, England and China.  

Originally from Georgia and now having lived in Utah for over twenty-three years Washington is a highly sought after choreographer, educator, and speaker. As a Black woman living in Utah, she has a multi-faceted lens; she negotiates stereotyping, privilege and identity every day in her work and the challenges the issues present. Ms. Washington is a talented community leader and facilitator. She recognizes art is only as strong as the community it serves.  

Congratulations, Natosha Washington, and thank you for representing the School of Dance.