NIKIYA RIVERA- PEOPLES

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HIP HOP

Teacher & Choreographer

Hip Hop General School Program

WSPA Alumni Class 2014

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Nikiya began dancing at WSPA at the age of 3.  She studied several dance styles including ballet, modern/contemporary, Polynesian, tap, jazz, and urban dance.  At the age of 13, Nikiya decided to pursue ballet professionally.  She trained under master ballet teachers including Inna Bayer, Jorge Esquivel, Lauren Main de Lucia, and Viktor Kabanieav.  She attended summer training programs of world-renowned ballet companies across the country including American Ballet Theatre and Joffrey Ballet, and was awarded a scholarship to attend the Washington Ballet School summer intensive. She participated in international dance festivals with WSPA in Macau, China and Aberdeen, Scotland.  Nikiya studied dance at Chapman University for one year with a scholarship from the NYCDA College Foundation.  After her freshman year, Nikiya left Chapman to train full-time with Alonzo King Lines Ballet. While Nikiya loves to dance, she also has an affinity for academia.  She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a BA in Media Studies in 2019.  During her time at Cal, Nikiya rediscovered her passion for urban dance.  She is currently in her third season with The Company and enjoys teaching hip hop to young students.  Nikiya hopes to instill a deep appreciation and love for dance in the next generation of artists and movers.