Nikki Baksh

Nikki was born in Trinidad, West Indies, and was known for being an over achiever from the age of 5, when her mother brought home an after-school activities guide, and Nikki chose 5 extra-curricular activities, including, music and karate!!! It was at this arts center that her passion began to grow, and she became the youngest person ever to earn a black belt in the art of Shotokan Karate, as well as one of the youngest members to perform and tour with a national youth steel band orchestra. At age 8, she moved to NYC, where her dance education began while studying with the Joffrey Ballet School. There, she performed for 2 consecutive years in The Nutcracker at City Center, NYC. After an injury that, at the time, ended her dance career, she began to pursue acting and pursued a B.A. In Theatre Arts @ Drew University. It was at university that she began to choreograph, and upon graduation, returned to dance in the forms of jazz funk and hip-hop. She has since opened for, toured, and performed with artists like Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Ultra Nate, Kat De Luna, British pop sensations Rouge, DJ Sanj, Shayn, and worked with several independent artists over the years, including Chris Classic, Nikole Marie, and Yali Ruan. Her choreography for Asian artist Yali Ruan, was internationally noted when the singer won Asia Top Idol. Nikki was signed for a Chrysler/ Dodge campaign, and can been seen in several in house and overseas commercials, including international Verizon and Italian wine commercials. Nikki’s passion as a performer is not only limited to dance, but also includes several acting roles both on-stage, as well as within film and television, spanning the British and Bollywood Fashion Awards, as well as for Nickelodeon’s own “Drake Bell”. She currently passed on a tour for a new children’s musical. Nikki thoroughly enjoys teaching and choreographing and is always aspiring to perfect her crafts. She has been repeatedly sought after to choreograph for new independent artists and was even offered a recording contract herself! Her teaching credits include several NYC studios, such as New Dance Group Studios, Arias Dance Studio, Peridance, Ripley Grier, and Broadway Dance Center. Nikki also has her own fitness and dance classes at NYSC and Crunch throughout NYC. She enjoys traveling and teaching abroad, as well, and is always willing to teach master-classes and workshops. To say Nikki enjoys teaching both fitness and dance throughout New York City is an under-statement. She loves challenging members and students alike, encouraging them to push themselves to their fullest potential. Nikki’s dance and fitness classes are usually so packed, that there is sometimes a waiting list! Her passion as a teacher and disciplined instructor is what keeps member motivated and ever-faithful.