Nikki Fox named Arizona Dance Educator of the Year
The Red Mountain High teacher is being honored for contributions to the performing arts, and for her inspirational leadership, advocacy, innovation and enthusiasm.
The Arizona Dance Education Organization and the Arizona State University School of Dance named Nikki Fox of Red Mountain High the 2012 Dance Educator of the Year.
Her remarkable career spans 28 years. Fox began teaching dance at Westwood High in 1984 and founded the Red Mountain High dance program in 1991.
"I'm so fortunate to have a job that I am passionate about. Dance is a part of me. It defines me. And I love sharing my passion for dance with my students. It's rewarding to watch them develop their creativity, dance technique and expressive performance style."
Nominators noted:
- Working with Nikki for the past 20 years has been a joy. Her love for her students and for dance education is to be commended. Nikki has always been willing to share ideas, to give helpful advice and to support fellow dance educators. She has been instrumental in the growth of great dance programs in Arizona. — Kristen Little, Mesa High dance teacher
Nikki helped create Dance Standards for the Arizona Department of Education in the 1980s. She has
consistently been active in the development of dance for high school students
throughout the state. — Margie Romero Wolf, former Dobson High dance teacher"- Ms. Fox was my teacher in Dance Force and Dance Production from 2001 to 2004. For beginning to advanced students, she made her classes not only easy to understand but also challenging for students with varied levels of skill and technique. I reminisce about the fun I had, and I still apply everything she taught me. — Nick Torres, professional dancer
"Knowing that many of my former students chose to pursue dance as a career is heart warming," Fox said. "They are dancing on Broadway and in companies around the country. Some are winning awards for their choreography. Others are teaching in studios and high schools. I am so proud that the power and joy of dance continue to thrive through these former Red Mountain dancers."
"There are many deserving dance educators in Arizona. I'm honored and touched to have been selected for this award."
Nikki Fox attended Arizona State University on a four-year Regent’s Tuition Dance Scholarship. She graduated summa cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in dance education. Fox served as president of ASU's Honorary University Dance Theatre. She studied professionally with Martha Graham, Murray Louis, Alwin Nikolais, Bill Evans and Daniel Nagrin.