2011 Dancer Fellow
Photo credit: Jim Smith
Nic Lincoln, originally from Grand Rapids Michigan, studied dance at Interlochen Arts Academy, Grand Rapids Ballet and Hubbard Street Dance Chicago. James Sewell Ballet (JSB) has acted as a creative incubator for Nic's artistry and he has danced in over a dozen works created on him by James Sewell as well as world premieres by Jennifer Hart, Morgan Thorson, Patrick Corbin, Hijack and Kenna Cottman. He relocated to Minneapolis to join JSB after dancing professionally with the Graz Ballet, Malaika Kazumi's Ballet Theatre Frankfurt and La Compañia de Juan Carlos Santa Maria. Before living in Europe he danced professionally with Dayton Ballet, Cleveland San Jose Ballet and Grand Rapids Ballet where he was featured in roles by Roland Petite, Dennis Nahat, George Balanchine and Robert Joffrey among others.
He was named Best Dancer of 2011 by City Pages for his work in Judith Howard's Dressage. Nic performed Dressage again in 2012 as well as solos created for him by Megan Mayer, Rosy Simas, Penelope Freeh, and Wynn Fricke. He invited these five female choreographers to create new works to help ignite society's recognition of women in the arts.
Lincoln is an advocate for the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender community. For several years running he has contributed his choreography to the Human Rights Campaign which has helped to heighten the community's awareness of diversity. Apart from choreographing independently, his works have been performed by JSB, Grand Rapids Ballet, Flint Youth Ballet and the 2008 Walker Art Center's Choreographer's Evening. He produced his own show at the Red Eye Theater in June 2009. His newest work Tempered Glasspremiered at O'Shaughnessy's Snapshots; Reflections of Women in 2010. In addition to his work in choreography and dance Nic is a professional visual artist.