Dance companies
Company class, new repertoire and rehearsal direction from a teacher whose dancers have gone on to Philadanco, Broadway and companies overseas.
Dance faculty · Duke University · Elon University
Fifty years of making dancers better.
- Sharper technique
- Stronger companies
- Stronger competitive teams
A member of the dance faculty at Duke University and Elon University, Nina Wheeler has taught for more than fifty years, in university studios, on concert stages and in the school she founded in 1974. Now companies, studios and competitive teams anywhere can work with her, mostly through video review and live virtual sessions.
- DukeDance Program faculty since 2006
- ElonDance and Theater Program faculty
- 200+Former students on Broadway
- 50+ yearsTeaching dance, since 1974
- 2026Duke Children's Partner Award
Who Nina works with
The eye that trained more than 200 Broadway performers, on your dancers.
Studios & competitive teams
Cleaner unison, stronger technique and choreography that stands out, from a studio owner whose dancers have won national titles, Studio of the Year and Choreography of the Year.
College-bound dancers
Audition preparation and technique work from university dance faculty who know exactly what programs look for.
Where her dancers have gone
More than 200 of Nina's dancers have performed on Broadway.
Others have trained at Juilliard, danced with Philadanco and companies overseas, and worked in LA commercials, Las Vegas, on cruise lines and at Disney. They've filled professional and university dance teams across the country and gone on to the top conservatory and university programs in dance.
What Nina does
Every style. Every level of the work.
- Ballet
- Jazz
- Tap
- Contemporary
- Lyrical
- Modern
- Hip-hop
- Musical theatre
Technique & company class
Classes built around your dancers' gaps, plus workshops that get your teachers and rehearsal directors using the same language.
Choreography & repertoire
Original pieces for your season or competition lineup, in any style, set to your dancers' strengths.
Rehearsal direction & cleaning
Count-by-count notes on unison, spacing, timing and lines, so a good piece becomes a finished one.
Dancer development & auditions
Running auditions, closing technique gaps and preparing dancers for college programs and professional work.
Studio & company strategy
Seasons, staffing, programming and keeping dancers and families coming back, from someone who has run a school for decades.
Pricing
Start with one video. Grow into a season.
Most of the work happens virtually, so you get Nina's eye without the travel costs. In-person residencies are available when you want her in the room.
Tier 1 · Virtual
Video Review
For one piece that needs a fresh, expert eye.
$250per piece
or 4 reviews for $850 a month
- One piece, up to 3 minutes
- Timestamped cleaning notes
- 10–15 minute video walkthrough from Nina
- Back to you within 72 hours
Tier 2 · Virtual
RecommendedVirtual Residency
For companies and teams preparing for a season.
$1,800– $2,500 a month
3-month minimum
- Up to 8 video reviews a month
- 2 live Zoom classes or rehearsals
- Monthly strategy call with your director
- Priority turnaround on every review
Tier 3 · In person
In-Person Residency
For when you want Nina in the room.
$2,500per day
plus travel
- Master classes: $850 each
- Group choreography: $350 per dancer
- Solo choreography: $1,000
- On-site rehearsal cleaning
Not sure where to start? Send one piece. It's the easiest way to see how Nina works.
How a video review works
- OneSend your pieceFill in the short form below, then upload your video.
- TwoNina watches every countShe looks at what a judge or audience sees: unison, spacing, timing, lines and performance.
- ThreeYou get her notesA video walkthrough plus a timestamped cleaning list.
- FourTake it to rehearsalClean it, send it back, and watch the piece come together.
Send a video
Get Nina's notes on your piece
Fill in the details, then upload your video. Nina confirms she has it and sends payment details before she starts.
- Film from the front, at audience height, with the whole stage in frame.
- Keep the music on so timing can be checked.
- One piece per file, MP4 or MOV.
About Nina
A teacher first, for more than fifty years.
Nina Wheeler teaches in the Duke University Dance Program and the Elon University Dance and Theater Program, and has owned and directed Nina's School of Dance in North Carolina since founding it in 1974. She trains dancers in ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre.
She was offered a spot with the Radio City Rockettes. She holds a Master's from Dance Educators of America, affiliated with NYU, and has trained with Gus Giordano Chicago and Alvin Ailey. Her dancers have won national titles, Studio of the Year and Choreography of the Year, and more than 200 of her former students have performed on Broadway, with many more on stages, screens and university teams across the country and abroad.
Watch Nina's choreography
Résumé
Five decades on the studio floor, the university stage and the competition circuit.
Teaching
- Lecturing Fellow, Duke University Dance Program2017–now
- Instructor of Dance, Duke University Dance Program2006–2017
- Faculty, Elon University Dance and Theater Program: music theatre jazzCurrent
- Founder, owner and director, Nina's School of Dance, North CarolinaSince 1974
- Duke courses: Jazz Dance I & II, Performance: Jazz, Individual Dance Program
- Guest teacher at studios, companies and conventions nationwide
- Summer technique camps
Honors
- Duke Children's Partner Award2026
- Durham Arts Council Hitchings Award, for contributions to dance in the community1993
- More than 200 former students have performed on Broadway
- Offered a spot with the Radio City Rockettes
- Starpower Choreography Award
- National titles · Studio of the Year · Choreography of the Year
- Overall winners in solos, duets and groups
Choreography
- Effective Immediately, November Dances, Duke. Demand added a second back-to-back show2018
- Pour, November Dances, Duke2017
- Forced Future, ChoreoLab, Duke2016
- comMUTE-ication, November Dances, Duke2014
- Prima Facie, ChoreoLab, Duke2013
- Jazz choreographer, Elon Dancers in concert, McCrary Theatre1998
Leadership & service
- Board member, Jazz Dance World Congress
- Miss North Carolina Scholarship Pageant: choreographer, then director and producer for 15 years17 years
- Judge, North Carolina Scholastic Achievement Awards
- Competition judge
- Convention faculty
Training & affiliations
- Master's degree, Dance Educators of America, affiliated with New York University
- Studied with Alvin Ailey and Gus Giordano Chicago
- Further study: East Carolina University, Meredith College, Jose Meier of Carnegie Mellon, NC Dance Alliance
- Member, North Carolina Dance Alliance
Questions
Good to know before you start
Can Nina really help us virtually?
Yes. A well-filmed video shows Nina what a judge or audience sees, and she can pause and rewatch every count. Most companies get more detailed notes from a video review than from a single visit.
Which styles does Nina work in?
All of them: ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, lyrical, modern, hip-hop and musical theatre.
How fast will we hear back?
Video reviews come back within 72 hours. Virtual Residency clients get priority turnaround.
Who sees our videos?
Only Nina. Your videos are used for your review and nothing else.
Does Nina travel?
Yes. In-person residencies are booked by the day, plus travel. Request dates and she'll put together a plan for your visit.
We're not sure which option fits. Where should we start?
Send one piece for a Video Review, or book a free 15-minute discovery call and Nina will recommend the right fit.
Let's talk about your dancers.
Book a free 15-minute discovery call. Tell Nina about your company, studio or team and what you want this season to look like.