Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Fife.
Hi Nikki, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Nikki Fife grew up in San Diego, CA, dancing at Vernetta’s Dance Studio. The studio, which is also owned by her great aunt, is San Diego’s longest-running dance studio which has been open since 1962. Beginning with tap, Nikki quickly fell in love and began training in jazz and ballet as well. As a teenager, she began training in the international Latin Ballroom and competed in competitions in Southern California and Las Vegas. Nikki continued training at her aunt’s studio in San Diego as well as a ballet conservatory in Temecula, CA, where she performed in the Nutcracker and Sleeping Beauty. Nikki began teaching and choreographing at 15.
While attending Murrieta Valley High School, Nikki participated in and choreographed for the school’s annual dance production three years in a row and was the choreographer for the school’s drama department for two years in a row. She also choreographed and performed in a local theatre troupe’s presentation of “A Chorus Line”. In 2009 Nikki moved to Texas with her family. She has performed at numerous showcases and events and choreographed for different teams and groups in the DFW area. In 2013 she was hired at Allen Dance Studio, where she has worked to develop the programs and curriculum. Nikki is the studio’s Company Director and Tap Company Director. Nikki lives in Melissa, TX with her husband, ten-month-old daughter and three dogs.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I would have to say moving from California to Texas at 18 and having to start completely over was a lot harder than I expected it to be. I’ve worked hard to build my reputation over the years.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am the competitive dance team and tap collective director at Allen Dance Studio which is one of three studio locations under the umbrella company of The Dance Studio Network. I’ve spent the last eight years with this company helping to develop the programs and curriculums. Tap, jazz and Latin ballroom are my specialty styles of dance. I’m so grateful to have experience in these styles because I feel like they all compliment each other so well in such distinctive ways. With that, I can apply different aspects of each style to another and I’ve found that it makes my choreography and work different and unique.
I was lucky enough to have an array of dance instructors during the years that were all master teachers and from them I’ve learned so many different things that I use today in my daily work at the studio. My first tap teacher, who is also my great aunt, learned from the great Donald O’Connor. I had a ballet teacher who was part of George Balanchine’s original company at the New York City Ballet. Two of my ballroom teachers are ranked in the top 35 competitive couples in the whole world for international Latin Ballroom. So, needless to say, I’ve had the privilege of learning from some of the best dancers in the industry. I believe having those experiences and opportunities set me apart from others.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I think luck but also fate was a big factor in finding the studio I work at now. I was looking at leasing space when I literally walked into a new building development and on the construction forms taped to the window, it said “Allen Dance Studio”. I believe God put me in the right place at the right time.
Contact Info:
- Email: Info@allendancestudio.com
- Website: https://allendancestudio.com/
- Instagram: @allendancestudio
Image Credits
Nino G Photography
