Company

Name:   Heather Nichols 

Company Position:   Company Artist   

Joined Ballet RI:   Joined Ballet RI in 2022 as a company member 

Hometown: Richmond, VA 

Training/Education: West End Academy of Dance, School of Richmond Ballet, Richmond Ballet Trainee, B.S in Dance Pedagogy from Butler University     

Favorite Quote: “Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together” Anaïs Nin 

Favorite Role or Ballet & Why:   

I was absolutely thrilled to explore and perform ‘Stairway to Paradise’ and ‘The Who Care’s Pas De Deux’ in George Balanchine’s “Who Cares”. This role tested me mentally, my perseverance, technicality, maturity, stylistically, and my stamina in so many ways. It allowed me to explore dynamic, expansive dancing to my end range, while being extremely specific and clear with the musicality. It was challenging and fun! 

Accomplishment you are most proud of:  Since I began dancing with professional companies in 2009, I have had four ankle surgeries. I am most proud of my perseverance in returning to the studio and the stage each time, stronger, more vibrant, and with a renewed understanding, not only for my love of dance, but also the incredible things that my body can overcome. Injury though my career has taught me a lot, and persevering through them both physically and mentally has been something that I am proud of inside and outside of the dance realm.  

Fun Fact about yourself:   

As an emerging choreographer, I have created works including “Meraki” for Kansas City Ballet (2022), “Eau D’Effervescence” (2023) and “Genesis” (2024) for BalletRI, and “Versipellis” (2024) for Moving Arts Co. My work “Meraki” was restaged for Pointe Works’ inaugural season in San Diego, CA in the summer of 2024, and will be performed again in New York, NY in March of 2025! 

Follow Heather on Instagram @heathercnichols AND @h.nichols.choreography