Nicole A.'s profile
Nicole A. Martinell is a choreographer, dance and somatic educator, performer, and mother of 3. In 2011, Martinell founded Deep Vision Dance Company (DVDC) – a vehicle for her choreographic and entrepreneurial endeavors. Described as “absolutely breathtaking to behold” by DCMetroTheatreArts, Martinell’s choreography has been featured at venues, festivals, and universities throughout the Baltimore/DC area as well as up the east coast. Ranging from grand site-works to intimate performance spaces, her choreography questions the complexity of humankind and explores the strange beauty of the world around us. Collaboration with various artists, such as musicians, visual artists, scientists, and historical buildings, is at the forefront of every multilayered process. Choreographic accolades include a recipient of Maryland’s Baker Artist Awards and selection for the 31st Annual Choreographers’ Showcase (MD), DC Capital Fringe Festival (DC) Exchange Choreography Festival (OK), Intersections Festival (DC), New Release Choreographers Showcase (DC), ACDA Galas (VA, MD), and ECOPOETIC (NY).
Highly active in the community, Martinell/DVDC projects include Go Deep! residency programs, such as Learning Physics through Movement and Traveling Feet: Women of the Ragtime Era, By/4 Artist professional development series, community improvisation jams, and youth choreographic mentorship workshops. In 2012, Martinell and Sidney Pink co-founded the AKIMBO Dance & Movement Art Festival in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Running for 5 consecutive years (2012-2016), this site-specific festival features over 100 artists performing original, site-based works at galleries, restaurants, grassy knolls, and historic buildings.
Growing up in Johnstown, PA, Martinell received her early ballet training under Carla Prucnal at the Johnstown Concert Ballet. Martinell continued training at the Allegheny Ballet Company, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, and Fordham/Ailey Program. She has studied under and/or worked with such artists as Cherie Noble, Larry Keigwin, Milton Myers, Sarah Gamblin, Dwana Smallwood, Adrienne Clancy, Scott Rink, Richard Cook, Kazuko Hirabayashi, and Mary Anthony. She has professionally performed with The Moving Company, ClancyWorks, DanceRink as well as her own company.
Pursuing her passion for dance and injury prevention, Martinell received a BS in Kinesiology and minor in Dance from Penn State University and a MFA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University. Her research on biomechanics and ballet pedagogy was published in the Journal of Dance Education and her dance science and choreographic research has been presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, the National Dance Education Organization, Somatic Dance, and Maryland Dance Education Association’s conferences. She is a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst through LIMS and a Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique through AmSAT. As a somatic practitioner of the Alexander Technique, she founded/teaches at Resiliency through Movement and also works Metta Integrative Wellness Cooperative.
Since 2008, Martinell has taught modern technique, repertory, ballet, dance science, and composition at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. Martinell has also been on faculty at the University of North Texas, Community College of Baltimore County, Goucher College, and University of Maryland Baltimore County. In 2020, Martinell received the Dance Educator of the Year - Teaching Artist Award from the Maryland Dance Education Association.
Collaboration in the Choreographic Process
Nicole A. Martinell's choreographic process is an organic transformation of ideas and movement. By nurturing the collective artistic voice, Martinell integrates diverse abilities and resources with an evolving team of dancers, musicians, scientists, visual artists, and technicians. DVDC's collaborative endeavors ignite long-lasting relationships and stimulate artistic growth for all involved in the creative process while expanding the boundaries of modern dance. Martinell values creating an environment where all (including the choreography) grow, adapt, change, and thrive. Like a growing organism, the dancers' emotional and physical relationship to the project evolves and deepens. Choices within the choreographic structure allow for constant exploration and transformation, which continues on the stage.
Playlist
Photo credit for site-wide representation by JHsu Media and for background by Zachary Z. Handler.
Highly active in the community, Martinell/DVDC projects include Go Deep! residency programs, such as Learning Physics through Movement and Traveling Feet: Women of the Ragtime Era, By/4 Artist professional development series, community improvisation jams, and youth choreographic mentorship workshops. In 2012, Martinell and Sidney Pink co-founded the AKIMBO Dance & Movement Art Festival in Baltimore’s Station North Arts & Entertainment District. Running for 5 consecutive years (2012-2016), this site-specific festival features over 100 artists performing original, site-based works at galleries, restaurants, grassy knolls, and historic buildings.
Growing up in Johnstown, PA, Martinell received her early ballet training under Carla Prucnal at the Johnstown Concert Ballet. Martinell continued training at the Allegheny Ballet Company, Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Pittsburgh Youth Ballet, and Fordham/Ailey Program. She has studied under and/or worked with such artists as Cherie Noble, Larry Keigwin, Milton Myers, Sarah Gamblin, Dwana Smallwood, Adrienne Clancy, Scott Rink, Richard Cook, Kazuko Hirabayashi, and Mary Anthony. She has professionally performed with The Moving Company, ClancyWorks, DanceRink as well as her own company.
Pursuing her passion for dance and injury prevention, Martinell received a BS in Kinesiology and minor in Dance from Penn State University and a MFA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University. Her research on biomechanics and ballet pedagogy was published in the Journal of Dance Education and her dance science and choreographic research has been presented at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science, the National Dance Education Organization, Somatic Dance, and Maryland Dance Education Association’s conferences. She is a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst through LIMS and a Certified Teacher of the Alexander Technique through AmSAT. As a somatic practitioner of the Alexander Technique, she founded/teaches at Resiliency through Movement and also works Metta Integrative Wellness Cooperative.
Since 2008, Martinell has taught modern technique, repertory, ballet, dance science, and composition at Towson University in Baltimore, MD. Martinell has also been on faculty at the University of North Texas, Community College of Baltimore County, Goucher College, and University of Maryland Baltimore County. In 2020, Martinell received the Dance Educator of the Year - Teaching Artist Award from the Maryland Dance Education Association.
Collaboration in the Choreographic Process
Nicole A. Martinell's choreographic process is an organic transformation of ideas and movement. By nurturing the collective artistic voice, Martinell integrates diverse abilities and resources with an evolving team of dancers, musicians, scientists, visual artists, and technicians. DVDC's collaborative endeavors ignite long-lasting relationships and stimulate artistic growth for all involved in the creative process while expanding the boundaries of modern dance. Martinell values creating an environment where all (including the choreography) grow, adapt, change, and thrive. Like a growing organism, the dancers' emotional and physical relationship to the project evolves and deepens. Choices within the choreographic structure allow for constant exploration and transformation, which continues on the stage.
Playlist
Photo credit for site-wide representation by JHsu Media and for background by Zachary Z. Handler.
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