Linda Nicoli is a second generation folk dancer. She started performing with her parents in the Czechoslovak group at the St. Paul Festival of Nations at age 5. She was a charter member of the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers, joined by husband Rich when they were dating as a condition of continuing their relationship. The group celebrated their 50th anniversary in 2012 with a memorable trip to the Czech Republic. After moving to Florida in 2004 Linda and Rich soon found a group to perform with, the Babiak Folk Ensemble, and added German, Italian, Irish and other Slavik dances to their personal repertoire. International folk dancing has been their introduction to great folks wherever they go, especially Minnesota, Maryland and Wisconsin where they travel to enjoy 7 of their grandchildren, and in Melbourne and Orlando, Florida where they live 8 months of the year near the other 2 grandkids. Linda is a retired physical therapist/aerobics and Pilates instructor. Her leisure pursuits include sewing, theater, guitar, biking, tennis and teaching people about giraffes on the Africa platform at Brevard Zoo in Florida.

Richi NIcoli grew up in an Italian neighborhood on the south side of Chicago (near Frank Niti’s barbershop) but actually started dancing through marriage as wife Linda introduced him to the hop polka at her cousin’s Polish wedding. From there he became part of the St. Paul Czech and Slovak Folk Dancers. The group performs Czech dances at various fairs and events throughout the Midwest. A highlight for that group was performing for the Czech president in St Paul and performances at the Czech and Slovak embassies in Washington DC. Rich and Linda stepped away from dancing for a few years raising four sons. Moving to Florida in 2004 they joined a group that performed international dances and an international folk dance group (Grapeviners) in Sarasota, FL. They have since moved to Cocoa Beach, Florida and dance with international groups in Melbourne and Orlando. They now spend summers with their son’s family in Grafton, WI and dance with the group in Milwaukee. Rich is a retired school principal and enjoys his 9 grandchildren along with golfing, biking, running, pickle ball and volunteering with St Vincent De Paul Society..