Heather Nichols began her training at West End Academy of Dance in Richmond, Virginia. At the age of 16, Ms. Nichols joined the Richmond Ballet as a trainee. From 2011 to 2015, Ms. Nichols attended Butler University and received her Bachelor of Science in Dance Pedagogy and Pre-Physical Therapy. After graduating, she accepted a contract with Ballet San Antonio, where she spent four seasons. In 2019, Ms. Nichols joined Kansas City Ballet and in 2022 Ms. Nichols accepted a contract with BalletRI. Heather has participated in many project based works such as PointeWorks as both a choreographer and as a dancer, Moving Arts CO, and National Choreographer’s Initiative. 

Throughout her career, Heather has danced leading and featured roles in works by Peter Anastos, Gerald Arpino, George Balanchine, Devon Carney, Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Edwaard Liang, José Limon, Parish Maynard, Emily Mistretta, Trey McIntyre, Helen Pickett, Willy Shives, Price Suddarth, Ben Stevenson, Septime Webre, Bruce Wells, Haley and Easton Wells and Yury Yanowski. 

As a choreographer,  Ms. Nichols' work has been commissioned by companies including Kansas City Ballet, Ballet RI, PointeWorks, and Moving Arts CO, and has premiered in Kansas City, MO, San Diego, CA, New York, NY, and Providence, RI, among others.