Biography

Nichele Woods (she/her; MFA Modern Dance) is a choreographer and dance educator based in Salt Lake City, Utah. Born and raised in Sonoma County, California, she worked as a dance artist in the Bay Area before relocating to Salt Lake City in 2016 for graduate school at the University of Utah. While in the Bay she had the honor of working with choreographers Christine Cali, Kristen Daley, Joe Goode, Nancy Lyons, Virginia Matthews, and Mo Miner, among others.

Nichele's choreography has been presented across the United States in universities, dance companies, residencies, conservatories, and private venues. In Utah, she has received grant support for her work through the Salt Lake City Arts Council, the University of Utah, and Utah Arts & Museums. In 2024, Nichele founded The Woods Dance Project, a Salt Lake City-based dance company, and premiered the company's first production, REDUCER, at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Through The Woods, Nichele aims to expand opportunities for freelance dancers in the SLC community.

From 2019 to 2023, Nichele taught on faculty at Ballet West Academy where she served as the inaugural resident choreographer for Current, the academy's contemporary performing group. Nichele has been honored to teach at UVU since 2021 and joined the Department of Dance as a full-time lecturer in 2024. Beyond dance, Nichele loves gardening, outdoor adventures, metalsmithing, her cats, the idea of someday learning the banjo, and homemade Italian food. www.TheWoods.dance

Teaching