"Command the Room: The Jamie Nichols 33 Years of Teaching Legacy"

Send us Fan Mail Buckle Up Podcast Universe Spotlight: Jamie NicholsSome teachers leave a mark. Others change your life.Jamie Nichols was that person for me.As my movement teacher at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she helped me break through insecurity, self-doubt, and fear. She didn’t just teach me how to move—she taught me how to carry myself. To command a room when I enter, and to leave a presence behind when I walk out. That mindset changed everything for me.The way I carry myself today—the confidence, the presence, the power—I can trace so much of it back to her.On this episode, Jamie shares her own story, and it’s clear why she’s impacted so many lives. With over 33 years of teaching, she’s inspired generations of artists across acting, dance, and movement.Raised by a brilliant military father and a strong mother who met through his service, Jamie was molded by discipline, heart, and fearlessness. At 18, she made bold choices, carved her own path, and never looked back.She’s produced. She’s taught. She’s evolved with the times.And above all—she’s always led with purpose.Having Jamie Nichols on the Buckle Up Podcast isn’t just an honor—it’s a full-circle moment. She helped shape who I am, and I’m grateful beyond words.Ms. Nichols, thank you. You’re truly a gift.Jamie Nichols is technically articulate teacher critically acclaimed for eloquence of her dancing andchoreography. She is the recipient of 6 Lester Horton Dance Awards for Outstanding Achievement and honored by the Dance Resource Center with the “Furthering the Visibility of Dance Award”. Nichols was the Artistic Director and founder of the contemporary dance company Fast Feet for 23 years. Until retiring her dance company she self-produced her work in festivals and venues throughout California. Her career has crossed over commercial dance choreographing art films andmusic videos and appearing as a dancer in several films. In the professional dance community she was : adjudicator for the Music Center’s Spotlight Awards, the McCallum Theatre Institute’s Choreography Festival and Open Call in Palm Desert, Executive Production Committee for the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Board of Directors of Jazz Dance L.A. Foundation, Board of Directors of Dance Resource Center of LA and panelist for the Los Angeles Cultural Affairs Department Grants. As a producer: Co-Producer of The Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Co-Producer Ray Bradbury’s Frost &Fire, produced modern dance icon Marion Scott’s Spirit Dances at Highways and Executive Producer of the16th Annual Lester Horton Dance Awards. As the Executive Producer/Founder Celebrate Dance for 10years has produced over 70 professional dance companies at the historic Alex Theatre selling out a 1.440 seat theater every show. She is also thefounder of the educational program in conjunction with Celebrate Dance; “Bringing Professional Dance Into The Classroom” an outreach program for young underserved dancers. She is currently the curator of The Brand Associates Dance Series at the Brand Library & art Center in Glendale, CA and serves on the Board of Directors forThe Palm Springs International Dance Festival . @Brandonrushh   @buckleuppodcast , @buckleuppodcastuniverseDemo Reelhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMkCCem3X7o&t=4shttps://youtu.be/QhWcwcez-1cSupport the show“We didn’t know it all— we learned with love, led with kindness, and earned our way to the top.”