“Relying on my senses, I reflect the shapes and feelings experienced when we are most present, when we are most honest with ourselves, as nature is. Sometimes we need to look at the very simple to help us with the complex.” —Nicole Gifford

Nicole Gifford is an independent choreographer and dancer and has been active in the Chicago dance community since 1998. A WIU graduate, she received her BAS in English, with minor degrees in Dance and Creative Writing. Nicole has been layering her choreographic expression with other artistic disciplines, such as live music and poetry.

Her work has been performed at many festivals including Around the Coyote, Dance Chicago, Full Circle, Fused and Rebound. At these festivals and others, she has performed with various artists including Emergence Dance Theatre, Gennaration Friedance, Irreverence Dance and Theatre, guest artist Winifred Haun, and independent artists Angela Frederick, Melissa Mallinson and Jennifer Sandoval. Gifford's work has also been featured as part of Navy Pier's special events.

In July 2005 she co-produced Poetic Layers: An evening of dance featuring choreography by Nicole Gifford & Jennifer Sandoval. Nicole Gifford is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.