NICOLE BATEMAN

TAP

Nicole Bateman has been dancing since the age of three, including the styles of tap, jazz, ballet, hip-hop, contemporary, and lyrical. Tap remains her absolute passion. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, she has competed regionally and nationally since the age of nine.

Nicole has been trained in many genres of tap under the instruction of masters such as "The Shuffle Man" himself- Mike Minery. She has also participated in various workshops led by Brenda Bufalino, Ayodele Casel, Derick Grant, Aaron Tolson, Maud Arnold, Diane Walker, and many more. She focuses on teaching proper technique, versatility, creativity, rhythm, and discipline. Her choreography has been recognized regionally and nationally, winning many choreography, entertainment, performance, and first overall placement awards. Nicole graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida in 2014, where she earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Advertising and received her MBA from Florida International University in 2016. She also has training from the International Dance Teaching Standards (IDTS) program- a dance teacher certification program focused on skill acquisition and pedagogical practices.

From 2011-2014, she was a member of Stomp the Swamp- a rhythm and tap group at the University of Florida focused on bringing light to the community through their passion for tap dancing. In 2014, she was head choreographer for Stomp the Swamp, where her choreography earned them a spot to open for acts such as Ludacris and Foster the People at UF's Gator Growl.

As a tap choreographer, she takes pride in the tap programs she has developed and the students she has had the opportunity to train. She was the Tap Director at a local studio in her hometown, previously a Regional Manager for a national dance competition, and has is a talent judge around the country. Nicole now resides in Jacksonville, Florida where she continues to instill a drive in her students and spread tap love!

Follow her dancing journey on social media:
Instagram: @nicole_taps
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/TapperitaNicolita