Navaji David Nava

About Navaji

Navaji David Nava is an Austin-based choreographer, director and teacher whose work brings together classical ballet, contemporary movement and immersive theatrical storytelling. Originally from the Rio Grande Valley, he began his professional career at sixteen, representing the United States at the Rudolf Nureyev International Ballet Competition in Budapest and joining The Sarasota Ballet. His training includes work with Gilbert Mayer, Margaret Barbieri, Stanton Welch, Dominic Walsh and Desmond Richardson. A founding artist and former Assistant Director and Resident Choreographer of Ventana Ballet, Navaji brings experience in performance, rehearsal direction and multidisciplinary production. His original evening-length work, KOMOREBI, united choreography, scenic and costume design, projection and storytelling across seven sold-out performances.

As a teacher and director, Navaji pairs technical rigor with compassionate guidance, helping dancers develop precision, musicality, expressive range and a confident artistic voice. His experience spans professional company classes, repertory coaching, student masterclasses and public-school arts education. He holds a Bachelor of Arts from The University of Texas at Austin and Texas teacher certification. He is also the founder of ATMA Moves, a movement methodology integrating classical and contemporary technique with embodied awareness and spiritual inquiry. Across commissions, workshops and creative collaborations, Navaji draws on his perspective as a queer Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist to cultivate thoughtful performers and create imaginative, emotionally resonant work.