By: Ashmar Mandou

Singing and dancing were the key ingredients to a happy childhood for Puerto Rican native Natalia Nieves-Melchor, who spent her afternoons enjoying the rhythmic Salsa beats. “I was always surrounded by music,” said Nieves-Melchor, dancer and performer currently in the Lyric Opera of Chicago’s production of Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim’s West Side Story. “Growing up in Puerto Rico music was a big part of my upbringing, it’s a major source of inspiration and pride. And I remember singing and dancing all the time. We had neighbors who were musicians so from a very early age I just knew this was something I wanted to pursue a career in the arts.” Moving to South Carolina at the age of 6, Nieves-Melchor dedicated her life to studying and mastering her craft, eventually landing a spot on the Broadway Blockbuster hit On Your Feet! At the Westchester Broadway Theatre and at The Muny. Also, at The Muny, she appeared in Legally Blonde and worked as a Swing and Assistant Choreographer for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat during the 104th season.

“I am so honored to be in a field where I get to be creative and part of a collaborative effort when it comes to telling a story,” said Nieves-Melchor. Receiving her BFA in Commercial Dance at Pace University, Nieves-Melchor can be seen in West Side Story currently at the Lyric Opera of Chicago. “West Side Story is such an important story, it’s not only a love story, but one that showcases the importance of acceptance regardless of your racial background, your economic background, nor your political or religious beliefs. Not only do I feel blessed to be part of a production that displays my heritage in such a positive light, but it reflects on the importance of crossing barriers and loving each other,” said Nieves-Melchor. The critically acclaimed production of West Side Story will play at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive, till June 25th. Single tickets for West Side Story start at $30 and are on sale now at lyricopera.org/westsidestory or by calling 312-827-5600. “I hope everyone can come out to show their support to all the amazing individuals involved in putting this wonderful production together. And I hope the next generation feel inspired to enter the arts.”