NICOLE STARKER is a dedicated dance teacher and choreographer with years of experience in both performing and instructing.

Her dance training is extensive and began at a young age. Nicole trained at the School of the Cleveland Ballet (now Cleveland Ballet Theatre) from 2003 to 2018, joining the Cleveland Ballet Youth Company at just 13 years old. Under the guidance of renowned teachers such as Gladisa Guadalupe and Cynthia Graham, she developed her skills in ballet, jazz, modern, character, and flamenco. She further honed her technique through summer intensives at prestigious institutions, including the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education.

Nicole spent many years actively performing. She danced in numerous productions of The Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Coppélia, as well as many original works with the Cleveland Ballet. She also performed in original productions at the Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet and The Rock School for Dance Education.

Nicole’s passion for dance extends beyond performance and into teaching. From 2021 to 2022, Nicole taught ballet, variations, and choreography classes at the Wayne Center for the Arts for the students and the Youth Company. In addition, from 2018-2022, she taught classes and choreographed for the College of Wooster Dance Company. She previously led beginner’s ballet classes as part of the Inner City School Outreach program, sharing her knowledge and love of movement with the students. Nicole now teaches ballet classes and choreographs at the Cleveland Ballet Theatre whenever in Ohio.

In addition to her teaching, Nicole is an avid choreographer with a growing body of original works that showcase her creativity and artistic range. Her choreographic pieces are set to a diverse array of music, blending intricate movement with emotional storytelling.

Nicole Starker’s background in music and lifelong dedication to dance, combined with her commitment to education and creativity, makes her a multifaceted artist who continues to inspire students and audiences alike.