Nicole Hopkins began dancing at four years old and received most of her early training at Encore Dance Academy in Westland, MI. At Encore, Mrs. Hopkins studied Ballet (Cecchetti Method), Tap, Jazz, and Modern. She was also a member of Encore’s regional and national award-winning competition company.

As a young student, Ms. Hopkins performed in the Nutcracker and Dracula with the Plymouth-Canton Ballet Company. During this time, she also studied with artists Frank Hatchett, Gus Giordano (Jazz Dance Chicago), Karen Hebert, Suzan Quinn, and Mia Michaels.

Ms. Hopkins furthered her education by attending Eastern Michigan University, where she studied Dance and Social Studies. She graduated from Eastern Michigan University with a Bachelor's Degree and Michigan Provisional Teaching Certificate (Secondary Education). During College, Ms. Hopkins performed annually in Detroit's America's Thanksgiving Day Parade, worked as a Print Model for Leo's Dancewear and Mattel Toys, and studied with local illusionist John Ross.

Ms. Hopkins began teaching dance in High School and has continued to do so for the past ten years. She is a member of Dance Masters of America, Dance Masters of Michigan, and is a past director of the Teen Miss Dance of Michigan Scholarship Competition.

In 2009, Ms. Hopkins completed a Masters Degree at Marygrove College in Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment. She also continues her education by teaching classes and attending workshops throughout the year, and by working as an adjudicator for the competition circuit.