Nick Mullikin has been a driving force at Nashville Ballet since joining the organization in 2015. As Director of the School of Nashville Ballet and Director of NB2, he led both programs through a period of notable growth before being promoted to Associate Artistic Director in 2018, CEO in 2022, and Artistic Director in 2023.

 

As Artistic Director and CEO, he has expanded the company’s repertoire, commissioned more than 20 new works, and led its first performances in London and Mexico. In 2020, he served as producer and assistant director for the regional Emmy Award-winning Nashville’s Nutcracker, and later for Black Lucy and The Bard, part of the Great Performances production that aired on PBS in fall 2022.

 

As a choreographer, Mullikin has collaborated with many Nashville creatives including Grammy award winning artists, and the Country Music Hall of Fame, that has seen him win several awards. His work extends beyond the stage to music videos, and digital dance works viewed by more than 250,000 people.

 

A highly sought-after guest teacher, he teaches regularly at summer programs, festivals, and schools across North America. He serves on the international judging panel for the Youth America Grand Prix Finals, coaches students for major ballet competitions, and consults with schools and festivals worldwide.

 

During his performing career, Mullikin danced with Houston Ballet and Ballet West, performing works by William Forsythe, Ben Stevenson, George Balanchine, Anthony Tudor, and others. He toured nationally and internationally, including an appearance at the Edinburgh International Festival in 2004.

 

He is a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied Government, minored in Communications, and completed the McCombs Business Foundations Program and received his certificate in studies from the Center for European Studies.