Natalie Rogers-Cropper joined Garth Fagan Dance in 1989. As a principal dancer, in 1992, she received the prestigious “Bessie” award for her performances. She is also a 1993 recipient of The President’s Award from her country of birth, Trinidad and Tobago. Natalie was voted one of the top three female modern dancers in the world, by readers of Dance magazine in the 2004 “Readers’ Choice” awards. Mr. Fagan has created at least 12 major roles for her over the course of her dance career. Natalie has danced at the 66th Annual Academy Awards representing Garth Fagan Dance with her partner, Norwood Pennewell, and appeared in the female principal role in Great Performances production of Garth Fagan’s “Griot New York” performed live with The Wynton Mar salis Septet. Her other television appearances prior to joining Garth Fagan Dance include a season on NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” as a dancer and extra. Natalie was one of Mr. Fagan’s assistants for the Tony Award-winning megahit “The Lion King” on Broadway. She also assisted Mr. Fagan in setting “Ellington Elation” on the New York City Ballet, and “Jukebox For Alvin” and “From Before” on The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Ms. Rogers-Cropper has taught the Fagan technique worldwide for 33 years. She has created her own choreography for several companies and schools world-wide and her first work for Garth Fagan Dance “Life Receding” was premiered in August 2023. For her leadership in business, and all her other achievements over her 34-year career with Garth Fagan Dance, Natalie became one of the recipients of the Women of Excellence Award from the Rochester Business Journal in April 2021. She was appointed Executive Director for Garth Fagan Dance in November 2023. She is a graduate of the Juilliard School. (B.F.A. class of 1984).