Nichole Masters, born in Cape Town, South Africa, graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Diploma in Dance and a Teaching Diploma from The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD). She performed with the University Ballet Company and Theatre for Youth regional performing company, touring South Africa and neighboring countries. Ms. Masters taught with the Western Cape Education Department for nine years, directing dance programs at four public schools, specializing in ballet and creative dance. During those years she also organized RAD examinations, and staged and choreographed student performances.

After moving to the USA in 1999, Ms. Masters taught ballet, modern, Pilates and creative dance in New Jersey at the Shore Ballet School and assisted in directing the Shore Ballet Performing Company. She has been examined successfully in RAD and Cecchetti methods and was a member of the American Academy of Ballet and the Royal Academy of Dance. She is also a certified PBT (Progressing Ballet Technique) instructor.

Since relocating to Delaware, Ms. Masters has taught dance enrichment programs at area preschools and classes at Bella Dance Center and Delaware Dance Company. Now in her thirteenth year at DDC, she is pleased to continue as Company Ballet Mistress and as a director of this year’s Nutcracker production.