ABOUT SIMONE

Simone Nichols Pace

Educator | Entrepreneur | Author | Dancer | Choreographer | Cultural Heritage Advocate

Preserving traditions. Inspiring generations. Empowering others.

A Lifetime of Education, Business, and Leadership

Simone Nichols Pace is an educator, entrepreneur, author, and cultural heritage advocate whose diverse career spans business, healthcare, higher education, and the performing arts.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Computer Programming and Business from Furman University and a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Southern Wesleyan University. Currently pursuing her Doctor of Business Administration (DBA), Simone also serves as an Adjunct Professor in the Benson School of Business at Southern Wesleyan University, teaching Business Communications, Principles of Marketing, and Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship.

Her professional background includes corporate finance, business management, healthcare, sales training, and entrepreneurship. A graduate of Furman University’s Women’s Leadership Institute, she is passionate about developing future leaders, encouraging critical thinking, and helping others achieve their potential.

A Legacy of Performance and Excellence

Simone began dancing at age two and a half and teaching clogging at age 12, following in the footsteps of her father, Bill Nichols, internationally recognized as the “Grandfather of Modern Clogging.”

Throughout her career, she owned and operated four dance studios, choreographed theatrical productions, and led clogging teams to six national championships. She has been recognized on the All-American, All-American Gold, and International clogging teams.

In 2019, Simone was inducted into both America’s Clogging Hall of Fame and the United Clogging Association Hall of Fame.

Her love of dance, teaching, and adventure has taken her to 49 of the 50 United States and destinations around the world, including Canada, Australia, Slovakia, Greenland, Iceland, Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

Her pageant accomplishments include recognition as a Top Ten Finalist and Talent Award winner in the Miss South Carolina Pageant and first runner-up in the Mrs. South Carolina Pageant.

Sharing Knowledge Across Generations

Education has remained a constant throughout Simone’s career. For more than 15 years, she taught at the Clogging Leaders Organization (C.L.O.G.) National Convention and helped develop curriculum for the Certified Clogging Instructor Program.

She co-founded Si-Bill Productions with her father, producing educational clogging videos, and established numerous dance organizations and events, including the South Carolina Clogging Council, Miss American Clogger Pageant, and Simone’s EPIC Conference.

Today, she brings that same enthusiasm for teaching into the university classroom, combining real-world professional experience with academic learning to prepare students for leadership and success.

Honoring Family, Art, and Appalachian Heritage

Preserving Appalachian culture and family heritage is among Simone’s most meaningful endeavors.

She is the author of My Mountains: The Story of Bill Nichols, celebrating her father’s life and contributions to modern clogging. She also created the National Day of Clogging and International Day of Clog Dancing, celebrated annually on August 8 in honor of her father’s legacy.

In August 2026, Simone joined fellow dancers at the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville to celebrate the National Day of Clogging and commemorate the eighth anniversary of her father’s passing. Watch Simone’s performance on YouTube.

Her commitment to the arts also includes representing and promoting the watercolor paintings of her mother, L. Marie Nichols, whose artwork celebrates the wildlife, landscapes, and traditions of the Appalachian Mountains.

Faith, Family, and Lifelong Learning

Whether teaching university students, mentoring dancers, managing business ventures, writing, or preserving cultural traditions, Simone approaches life with enthusiasm, creativity, and a commitment to serving others.

Guided by faith, family, and a belief in lifelong learning, she continues to embrace new challenges and opportunities to make a meaningful difference.

Her philosophy reflects a lifetime of diverse experiences: Never stop learning, never stop sharing, and never underestimate the difference one person can make.

And, of course, when it comes to dancing, always remember:

“For the fun of it!”

“This is who I am. This is where I’m from. This is what we do, and I’m proud of it!” — Bill Nichols

Simone Nichols Pace

Preserving the past. Educating the present. Inspiring the future.