We recently connected with Jamie Nichols and have shared our conversation below.
Jamie, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.
I am currently The Head of Movement at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Hollywood, CA. and teach contemporary dance at ARC Pasadena . Since 2016 I have been the curator of the Brand Associates Dance Series at the Brand Library and Art Center In Glendale, CA. We are getting ready for an amazing 2024 Dance Series funded by The Brand Associates. The 2024 Dance Series will feature four companies representing diversity in dance genre and culture. All performances are free and open to the public at The Brand Library and Arts Center. https://www.brandlibrary.org/
In November, I created a new dance work for an ensemble of four dancers, “Les Moulins de Mon Coeur”, presented by Deborah Rosen and Dancers at ARC Pasadena. It is tender piece, created on the dancers, exploring spiritual transformation, ascendance and how the human heart deals with its memories, motivations, and temptations. The movement was intentionally created with uncomplicated pairings, patterns, movement themes with benevolent touch. I’m thrilled we will be presenting the work again in April at The Palm Springs International Dance Festival at The Annenberg Theatre by Nickerson-Rossi Dance. Review form November here: https://www.ladancechronicle.
In teaching capacity, I curated the first ever AADA Dance Festival at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in November. It was an outstanding event featuring 11 pieces of dance created by the acting students. Their work was heartfelt and beautiful. They told their stories through movement. 10 of the choreographers were our international students. I’m thrilled for the success of the event!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I am third generation Californian and was the Artistic Director and founder of the Pasadena based contemporary dance company FAST FEET for twenty-three years. Until retiring my dance company 2003, I self-produced work in festivals and venues throughout California. Critically acclaimed for the emotional intensity and eloquence of my dancing and choreography, “A memorable performance for its depth of feeling” “remarkable gestural detail” “galvanizing” from The Los Angeles Times, and “She’s not quite Google, but producer Jamie Nichols certainly is a one-woman search engine for anyone who wants to know about the L.A. dance scene…”Ann Haskins – LA Weekly, kind of describes my work and dance life.
My career has crossed over commercial dance choreographing art films and music videos and appearing as a dancer in several films. I also performed with my dance company in four Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parades on floats she choreographed winning the Governor’s Trophy for the first float ever created with 12 ballroom dancers on a giant player piano. Clients for dancing floats included: First Interstate Bank, The Ritz Carlton Hotel, Rotary International and Delta Airlines.
I have the honor of being a recipient of 6 Lester Horton Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement, The Lester Horton Furthering the Visibility of Dance Award and the Dance Resource Center of Los Angeles Meritorious Award for Outstanding & Extensive Years of Service. As Executive Producer of Celebrate Dance I presented 70 dance companies at the historic Alex Theatre in Glendale, California.
Active in the professional dance community I have proudly served : The Los Angeles Dance Invitational Executive Production Committee 2000-2009 (co-producer), The Board of Directors of the Jazz Dance LA Foundation (fundraiser/publicist), production coordinator/publicist for The Celebration of Dance Festival at The Alex Theatre (2002-03-04), on the Board of Directors of The Dance Resource Center of Greater Los Angeles as Membership Chair for three years. I was the executive producer of The Dance Resource Center Of Los Angeles 16th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards at the Alex Theatre and producer of Los Angeles modern dance icon Marion Scott’s SPIRIT DANCES 10 at Highways Performance Space in Santa Monica.
As Executive Producer of CELEBRATE DANCE for ten years, I presented 70 dance companies at the historic Alex Theatre to critical acclaim with sold-out houses. CELEBRATE DANCE was dance festival presenting professional dance companies representing diversity through dance, offering an accessible family friendly evening of dance to an audience of any age. I was the marketing director, fundraiser, press contact and sole producer of the event. Proudly, also created an Educational Program, “Bringing Professional Dance Into The Classroom” that co-existed with CELEBRATE DANCE giving underserved middle school children the opportunity to attend master classes and the show at the Alex Theatre for free.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect is meeting people! My life is rich with students, friendships and colleagues met through my work. My contacts on a daily basis are busy, active and alive with ideas. Watching dance companies perform in events I have curated or produced brings joy to my heart. Having the opportunity to give space to other artists is profoundly gratifying. I’m grateful for everyday of this life. My mantra: I am humble, I am grateful, I am thankful for this instrument!
What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?
Our communities need to support local artists, small businesses, attend events produced and curated by locals. Get past the giant venues, tune into what is happening around where you live. On any given weekend there are local dance companies presenting their work in smaller or alternative venues. Go see something different, have an open mind. That’s my mission with The Brand Associates Dance Series, to present a different dance company each week that represents different cultures and genres. Give or volunteer, you will receive more than ever expected in return.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.celebratedance.org/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CelebrateDance/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/jamienichols
- Other: https://vimeo.com/celebratedance https://www.brandlibrary.org/dance-series
Image Credits
Photos of Dancers “Les Moulins de Mon Coeur” By George Simian www.georgesimian.com Portrait Of Jamie Nichols by Stephen Jerrome Photos of Jamie NIchols courtesy of Jamie Nichols