Congratulations to Nikki Keeshin, featured in DT July as the March Editors’ Choice winner for Dance Teacher’s Video of the Month!

The University of the Arts rising junior was inspired to choreograph a piece about marriage equality when she first heard the song, “Same Love,” by rapper Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, featuring Mary Lambert. “This song was revolutionary to me,” she says. “I believe this is the first hip-hop song about gay rights. It’s a great step in the right direction.”

“Same Love” came to fruition as part of a UArts composition course, but Keeshin is already thinking beyond the boundaries of her school. She and a few fellow BFA students recently collaborated to rent a nearby performance venue for a two-night showing of their work. The dance department provided some financial support for the project, and an Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign raised roughly $2,000 to round out the budget.

Keeshin’s choreography blends pedestrian movement with modern, contemporary and hip-hop styles, a reflection of her diverse training. After graduating, she plans to pursue work in both the commercial and concert dance worlds. She is currently participating in Broadway Dance Center’s Professional Semester. “I want to get back into my hip-hop and commercial side because I’ve been really focused on my technique the past few years,” she says. “I’d love to do everything.”

Want to build buzz about your studio, workshop or class? Posting videos to the Dance Teacher Video of the Month Contest is quick, easy and free—and it’s a great way to get noticed. If your video is selected as Editors’ Choice, you’ll be featured on this page, and you’ll win a free one-year subscription to DT! Don’t miss out on a great opportunity—visit dancemedia.com, share your videos and vote for your favorites. Any and all kinds of dance are welcome.