About Me
My name is Nessa Whittington, and I grew up dancing in Jacksonville Beach, Florida. I have been dancing since I could walk, and after assisting my teachers at my first studio, Polly B Dance Academy, I quickly discovered my love for teaching and choreographing. I began teaching at the age of 14 and have cherished every opportunity to share my passion with dancers of all ages throughout the years.
I spent my youth performing and competing from the ages of 9 to 18. In high school, I began teaching classes at my home studio while choreographing routines for dance teams, pep rallies, dance concerts, pageants, and several UDA solos. I then went on to earn my Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance with a minor in Business from Jacksonville University, graduating magna cum laude. In 2022, I received the Excellence in Dance Choreography Award from the Linda Berry College of Fine Arts.
After graduating from Jacksonville University, I spent a year in Atlanta working with Roswell Dance Starz, where I continue to choreograph competition routines and set new works to this day. While building my career in Northeast Florida, I served as a faculty member at Village Dance Center and have also taught, guest taught, substituted, and choreographed for First Coast Center for the Arts, NOVA Dance & Wellness Academy, and the University of North Florida Dance Team. Through these experiences, I have choreographed dozens of routines, taught hundreds of dancers across various levels, coached private lessons, produced and directed full-scale dance concerts featuring local Jacksonville studios, and attended numerous regional and national competitions. In 2024, I was honored to receive both the Excellence in Choreography Award and the Artistic Excellence Award from Nexstar Talent Competition.
I am proud to serve as the Head Coach of the Fletcher High School Dance Team, entering my third season leading the program while mentoring young dancers both on and off the floor. In addition to coaching, I continue to teach adult dance classes at First Coast Center for the Arts and offer private lessons, choreography, and master classes through my business, Nessa Whittington Dance.
With more than a decade of experience in dance education and choreography, I have had the privilege of working across recreational, competitive, collegiate, high school, and adult dance programs. Through teaching, coaching, choreographing, and producing performances, my goal has always been to create meaningful opportunities for dancers to grow technically and artistically.
My Purpose and Goals:
My goal in everything I do is to bring the enjoyment, passion, and purpose back into dance. As the competitive dance world continues to grow, I believe it is important that we never lose sight of what dance truly is: art.
I experienced many challenges throughout my youth, and I know that without dance, I would not be the person I am today. Dance has been a source of healing, confidence, and self-expression in my own life,
and I believe it has the power to touch the soul and help us process emotions we may not always have the words to express.
As an educator, I strive to create an open and supportive environment where every dancer feels comfortable being themselves and sharing their unique story through movement. While technique and training are essential parts of becoming a strong dancer, I believe equal importance must be placed on artistry, expression, and performance quality.
I want every dancer I work with to understand that there is no single definition of what makes someone
a “good dancer.” Dance can often feel like a constant comparison, but I believe it is much more like a painting - some may love it, some may interpret it differently, and some may not connect with it at all, but that is what makes it art. The greatest reward in dance is not found in a trophy, title, or placement,
but in the confidence gained, memories created, and passion discovered along the way.
When you dance from the heart, the impact of dance becomes something you carry with you for a lifetime.
