nikki lee

nikki lee is a dance artist, photographer, videographer, and educator.  Their most recent creative projects – collaborating with student and professional choreographers to produce dance video works in the COVID-19 pandemic – have been a rewarding amalgamation of these varied paths through the dance field. nikki’s current research is in exploring choreographic methods that utilize contemplation,  improvisation, and multi-media performance techniques.  Their heart and mind have been shaped generously by the work and teachings of many, with humble credit especially to Bette Ann Rossi, Melody Ruffin Ward, Elaine Colaneri, Daniel McCusker, Heidi Henderson, Shonach Mirk Robles, Chris Aiken, Mike Vargas, and Nancy Stark Smith.  nikki has been privileged to study dance in academia, earning a Bachelors and Masters degree from Rhode Island College and Smith College, respectively.  They have received awards, grants and fellowships from Smith College, Rhode Island State Council for the Arts, the Murdock-Thompson Center for Teachers, the RI Association for Physical Education Health Recreation and Dance, the Bates Dance Festival and Rhode Island College Alumni Association.  nikki’s photos of dancers have appeared in Contact Quarterly, Andrea Olsen’s book, The Place of Dance, and countless newsletters and marketing materials in print and online.  nikki loves making and performing dances with Elm City Dance Collective, and has been a member of the company since 2013.  They currently live and dance upon land taken by European settlers from the Wampanoag and Narragansett people through violence and deceit, now known as Pawtucket, Rhode Island, USA.