Emily Nicolaou

A member of the School of Dance faculty since 2024, Emily Nicolaou emphasizes the floor as our best partner as we train to build a better understanding of Groundwork — an interdisciplinary class built on European floorwork, Capoeira, Flying Low, Release Technique, Physical Theater, yoga, improvisation and composition. This practice highlights the use of the entire body, including our surroundings, and becomes a way to practice dance technique consciously and healthily while enabling better practices and injury prevention work.

Nicolaou believes we are more than just our disciplined bodies, that dancers need to be able to make decisions about how they grow, both as artists and as humans. Challenging her students to relate the work they do in the studio to the world at large, Nicolaou is convinced that intention is a necessary tool that promotes genuine artistry and gives weight to our words, movements and expressions. Nicolaou's approach nurtures genuine interest and curiosity around thoughtful movement, using her extensive repertoire of techniques and disciplines to inspire investigation of ourselves and the space around us.

I search for genuine movement and honest expression, offering an opportunity to explore strategies and improvise with our choices. I observe our differences, giving space to use the tools we have, unique to each individual, while remaining aware of the space we share with others.

Emily Nicolaou

Credentials

• Training vocabulary: The Ailey School (2005-2007),  Alonzo King Lines Ballet (2007), Merce Cunningham Studio (2008-2009), Gaga (2009-2022).
• Choreographic vocabulary: Guggenheim Museum Chicago Project (2010), Danish Dance Theater Choreographic Copenhagen (2011), Copenhagen International Choreography Assistant (2012), Le Sacre Du Printemps (2013), Repertoire for Conservatories (2012-2022), Repertoire for Film Copenhagen Artist Collaborations (2018, 2019), WFU Guest Choreographer (2023).

Career Highlights

• Dancer with Hubbard Street Dance Chicago II, 2009-10.
• Dancer, Creator and Teacher with Danish Dance Theater, Denmark, 2011-20.
• Dancer, Creator and Teacher with Musiktheater Im Revier, Germany 2020-22.
• Annual performance tours, Denmark, United Kingdom, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Belgrade, Hungary, Italy, Cyprus, China, Korea, Thailand and the United States (Kennedy Center, Joyce Theater, Harris Theater), 2011-20.
• Global workshops in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe and Africa, 2010-22.
• Yoga, Injury Prevention + Emotional Balance & Strength Teacher, 2020-22. 
• Performance repertoire includes Catherine Young, Roy Assaf, Marcos Morau, Sebastian Kloborg, Örjan Andersson, Itzik Galili, Fabio Liberti, Ohad Naharin, Andrea Miller, Lar Lubovitch and Merce Cunningham.