BalletNova Artistic Director Nancie Woods is originally from England, where she trained at Elmhurst Ballet School with Bridget Espinoza and the Rambert Academy in London with Mary Munro and Patricia Norman. Ms. Woods studied the Royal Academy of Dance syllabus and gained the Advanced Certificate before beginning her professional life as a dancer. Her performing career began in Strasbourg, France with the Ballet du Rhin, where she toured extensively throughout Europe dancing soloist roles at an early age. Upon her arrival in the USA, Ms. Woods joined Delta Festival Ballet in New Orleans where she received excellent training and mentoring from Director Joseph Giacobbe, former Rambert teacher Mary Munro, and the company's Artistic Advisor Ivan Nagy. She worked with several renowned choreographers and appeared (as Lilac Fairy) with Karen Kain and Patrick Bissell in Delta's production of The Sleeping Beauty. Woods then joined the Dallas Ballet under the direction of Flemming Flindt and was soon promoted to soloist. During her tenure with the company she performed a diverse repertoire of works of the famed August Bournonville, George Balanchine, Jose Limon, Alvin Ailey, Susan Marshall, Bryan Pitts and Flemming Flindt. She was one of three dancers chosen to represent Dallas Ballet at the American Guild of Musical Artists' 50^th Anniversary Gala performance at Lincoln Center.

Ms. Woods is dedicated to educating and mentoring dancers in a positive, nurturing environment and preserving the traditions of classical ballet through quality dance productions.