NICOLE GRANDSTRAND

Education:  Nicole Grandstrand graduated in 1992 from the University of Minnesota with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Her training there focused on ballet and modern dance technique and performance.  She studied with a David Voss, Maria Cheng, Becky Stanchfield, Paula Mann and Erin Thompson.  She performed with the University Repertory Company (URepCo) from 1989 – 1992 dancing in works by Douglas Dunn, Marcus Schulkind, Paul Taylor and Bill T. Jones. After graduation she participated in the Zenon Scholarship and work-study programs. 

Performance: The following year she worked with choreographer Gus Giordano in the Minneapolis production of “Gin” at the Music Box Theatre. In 1995 Nicole began working with Kristin Freya in the modern performance-art troupe Vox Medusa.  She performed in “Jane Doe”, “Eve” and “Guzzle” in various avant-guard venues including First Avenue, The Lounge, The Loring Block Party, Intermedia Arts and in Vox Medusa Dance Company’s first evening-length piece “Pillars” at Studio 6A: Hennepin Center for the Arts. VMDC hosted multi-disciplinary artistic events called “Ricochet Kitchens” in bars, clubs, art galleries and warehouse spaces in an effort to collaborate with other artists, to “cross-pollinate” audiences that normally might not see dance, and to break down the “fourth wall” (between the stage and the audience) bringing the art form to everyone’s level (literally.) In 2000 Nicole danced the title role in “Cleopatra: Ambitious Child” at the College of St. Catherine’s O’Shaughnessey Auditorium, presented as part of the Women of Substance series.  After a short hiatus, Ms. Grandstrand returned to VMDC in 2001 to dance the role of the Water Goddess in the production of “Trancendance” at the Basilica of Saint Mary, and subsequently, at the Panteges Theatre.  At this time, she also took on the role of Rehearsal Director for VMDC ensuring a consistent level of excellence from the company dancers. 

Instruction and Choreographic Credits:  Ms. Grandstrand began her teaching career at Heartbeat Studios in December of 2002, teaching ballet.  She now is the Ballet Director for the studio, and also teaches Modern, Jazz and the Jr. and Sr. technique classes.  She has choreographed two ballets for the Senior Ballet Company, “Deep River” in ‘04 – ‘05, “Enchantment” in ‘05 – ‘06 season, and is currently working on her third ballet, set to Bach’s Concerto No.1 in A Minor.  Ms. Grandstrand pioneered the “Technique Class” at Heartbeat Studios to focus primarily on proper alignment, gentle stretching, sharp turns and a variety of leaps and jumps.  Nicole also strongly focuses on learning phrases quickly and employing performance energy in class, which she considers an essential preparation for dancers who will be auditioning or working with choreographers in the future.