Nicole Warren
Studio Owner / Director
Owner & Artistic Director, Odyssey Dance Company
Founder & Executive Director, Chance 2 Dance, Inc.
Nicole Warren is a dynamic dance artist, entrepreneur, and educator based in Maitland, Florida. As the owner and artistic director of Odyssey Dance Company (ODC)—an elite youth training company founded in 2018—Nicole leads with a commitment to technical excellence, creative growth, and building confident young performers.
Under Nicole's direction, ODC has grown from a small team into a thriving studio offering professionally staffed classes, a competition team, and performance experiences rooted in artistic integrity and community spirit.
Nicole has degrees in Elementary Education, Reading, TESOL from the University of Central Florida and is classically certified in the Cecchetti ballet method. She has trained as a teacher and choreographer for numerous professional studios and performance companies. Her approach to program design is strategic and learner-centered, drawing from ongoing professional development and leadership training.
Outside ODC, Nicole is the visionary force behind Chance 2 Dance, Inc. (C2D)—Florida’s first sensory‑friendly, inclusive dance organization. Since founding C2D in 2016, she has grown its reach from eight students in community partnerships to over 1,600 weekly dancers of all unique abilities across CFL and NYC. In 2023 C2D expanded into New York City with community programming. Her leadership in creating welcoming environments for dancers of all abilities has earned her widespread recognition.
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Nicole’s recognitions and community awards include:
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Orlando Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 (2020) for leadership in inclusive dance arts
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Diversity in Business Award (Outstanding Diversity Honoree) from Orlando Business Journal (2019)
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Orlando Magic “Magic of Diversity” Game Changer Honoree (March 2024)
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C2D’s recognition as the AFP Central Florida 2024 DEI Honoree and Best of Orlando 2023 – Favorite Charity by Orlando Magazine
Nicole continues her own growth with certifications in nonprofit leadership, inclusive teaching, CPR/AED, ASL, and more from Rollins College, UCF, and the Edyth Bush Institute. She has been selected for leadership cohorts including the Maitland Leadership inaugural class (2021), Leadership Orlando (Class 105), Empowering Good cohort, and Black Boardroom Leadership Institute cohort 3. A sought‑after speaker and grant reviewer, she has contributed her expertise to state arts funding panels and arts & culture DEI initiatives.
Nicole’s passions extend beyond the studio—she’s a hiker and backpacker (having covered over 1,600 miles of the Appalachian Trail with her dog Phoebe), a dog mom, gardener, and advocate for inclusive opportunities.
As the driving force behind two interwoven dance enterprises, Nicole bridges high‑quality, professional dance training with expert inclusion practice. Her work with Odyssey Dance Company ensures that aspiring dancers receive rigorous, inspiring instruction. Meanwhile, Chance 2 Dance reflects her deep commitment to making the joy and benefits of dance accessible to diverse learners.
Nicole’s leadership is built on artistry, operational excellence, and social impact—making her not just a dance director, but a change-maker whose vision extends far beyond choreography.