Nikki Spinden-Meagher
Nikki Spinden-Meagher is the Owner and Competitive Director of S & R Dance.
Nikki's first love was music. She started singing and acting at the age of 4. She was involved in Madrigals, Pep Band, Concert Choir, IMEA Choirs, NCIC Bands and Choirs all through school. She received the Excellence in Music Award for her graduating class. She attended SVCC on a music and academic scholarship where she received her Associates Degree. She continued on to study at NIU in the pursuit of a vocal/opera music BA degree. Although Nikki loved singing and performing opera and music, she found her true calling at a very young age...dance!
Nikki started dancing at the age of 10, started teaching when she was 12 years old and began teaching competitive teams at age 13. In 1994, Nikki continued on to study and teach at Forest Hills Dance Academy in Rockford, IL where she received the Dancer of the Year award in 1997. In 1998 Nikki started choreographing competitive numbers for S&R Dance in Freeport, IL and in her later years in college, Nikki began to teach competitive teams and technique classes at S&R as well as classes at NIU. Nikki became the Competitive Director in 2001 and the proud new owner of S&R Dance in the fall of 2007.
Nikki had a goal and vision to make S&R something different. A small town studio that offered a quality dance education at a fair and affordable price and could compete with the best of the best. "I wanted to give something back to a small community and continue on the legacy that Mary started back in 1983." In the spring of 2014 a very well-renowned National Dance Competition came to Freeport for the first time ever and since that time numerous other National Dance Competitions have come to Freeport! This is a big accomplishment and is bringing additional revenue and recognition to the small community as was Nikki's wish. This is most certainly due to S&R Dance and its students, staff and wonderful reputation!
Nikki continues to take classes all over the country from some of the top teachers and choreographers in the industry as well as teaching Master Classes at numerous different studios. Nikki also serves as a judge at numerous competitions when her busy schedule permits! Over the last 30+ years, Nikki and her students have competed in and won hundreds of overall, high point, choreography and specialty awards at competitions all over the country. Many of her students have gone on to pursue careers in the industry, primarily in Los Angeles and New York.
Nikki had a goal and vision to make S&R something different. A small town studio that offered a quality dance education at a fair and affordable price and could compete with the best of the best. "I wanted to give something back to a small community and continue on the legacy that Mary started back in 1983." In the spring of 2014 a very well-renowned National Dance Competition came to Freeport for the first time ever and since that time numerous other National Dance Competitions have come to Freeport! This is a big accomplishment and is bringing additional revenue and recognition to the small community as was Nikki's wish. This is most certainly due to S&R Dance and its students, staff and wonderful reputation!
Nikki continues to take classes all over the country from some of the top teachers and choreographers in the industry as well as teaching Master Classes at numerous different studios. Nikki also serves as a judge at numerous competitions when her busy schedule permits! Over the last 30+ years, Nikki and her students have competed in and won hundreds of overall, high point, choreography and specialty awards at competitions all over the country. Many of her students have gone on to pursue careers in the industry, primarily in Los Angeles and New York.
Nikki is passionate about teaching, educating, choreographing, music, organization and Starbucks! Nikki says: "There is nothing in the world I love more than my students and dance. Watching them grow, learn teamwork, confidence, motivation, and dedication to improve and succeed, not just in dance but in life fills my heart with pride and joy! I look forward to many more years of sharing my artistry and knowledge with others”.