about Nicole von Arx
Nicole von arx is an immigrant dance artist based in New York.
She is a 2023 NYSCA grant recipient, a 2023 Major Commissioned artist from the Jamaica Center for Arts & Learning, 2023 GLUE artist in residence, 2022 Dance Initiative artist in residence, Gland Culture 2020 lauréate, a 2020 recipient of the Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Fellowship at Jacob’s Pillow, 2018 STUFFED artists in residence at Judson Church, and 2017 Dance Gallery Level UP artist in resident.
Born in England and raised in Switzerland, Nicole von Arx (NVA) now creates independently and in collaboration with musicians, photographers, film, fashion brands, and opera directors. She’s been commissioned to create original works for the Portland-based dance company NW Dance Projects, Seattle-based dance company Whim W’Him, SALT 2 and the LINK Choreography Festival in Salt Lake City, the Luminato Festival in Toronto, the opera Der Freischütz at Wolf Trap Opera, and at Stanford Live for singer-songwriter and indigenous activist, iskwē. She has worked with brands and illustrations such as V Magazine, Bombay Sapphire, K-Way, Target, and Kate Spade. She most recently choreographed the opera Orphée+ at the Edmonton Opera.
She first studied Ballet, Contemporary dance, and Hip Hop in Switzerland at Dance Area and then traveled to New York in 2008 to study at The Alvin Ailey School (under the direction of Denise Jefferson) where she graduated in 2011. She also trained at the San Francisco Conservatory of Dance (2010), Springboard Danse Montréal (2011 & 2015), and Jacob's Pillow 2010 Contemporary Program.
Nicole's performance career led her to become a soloist at the Royal Opera House in London & Chicago Lyric Opera in the critically acclaimed opera Tannhäuser directed by Tim Albery and choreographed by Jasmin Vardimon. She has also worked for and toured with Carte Blanche (The Norwegian National Company of Contemporary Dance) under the directorship of Bruno Heynderickx. She joined the cast of Romeo Castellucci’s Democracy in America for performances at Montclair University in 2019. From 2015-2021, She was a company member at Company XIV for the Off-Broadway productions of Nutcracker Rouge, La Fête, Paris, and dance captain for the opera Orpheus & Eurydice. In 2013, she participated in The 6th Copenhagen International Choreography Competition while dancing for the choreographer Bryan Arias winning 1st place and Audience Choice Award. From 2014-2021, she has been a close collaborator, choreographer assistant, and performer for Loni Landon Dance Projects. She has worked with Loni on numerous creations such as Fast Love for the Joyce Theatre, And Then There Was One commissioned by The Juilliard School, DOUBLING, and Wait Nearby commissioned by the Keigwin + Company.
Since 2014 she has created and tours under the name of her own project-based dance theatre company NVA & Guests. More information about the company here.
Photos by Jim Lafferty
(edited January 2024)