Nicole’s Dance Story: From Tiny Tap Shoes to Contemporary Passion

Some dancers fall in love with movement the moment they step into a studio — and Nicole is one of them. Her journey began at just three years old in Glenhaven, where she first discovered the magic of dance. After a short break, she returned at age six, this time at Neridah Southwood’s Performing Arts, ready to take it more seriously.

The Early Years: Jazz, Tap, Ballet… and Shoelace Struggles

Nicole trained in jazz, tap, and ballet, though jazz had to wait at first — simply because she couldn’t tie her own shoelaces yet. It’s the kind of charming detail that makes her story so real. As she grew, so did her repertoire: contemporary, lyrical, character, and even a touch of hip hop found their way into her weekly routine.

Ballet Foundations and Exam Success

Ballet became a major pillar of Nicole’s training. She completed her Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) exams all the way up to Advanced 1 — a milestone that reflects years of discipline, strength, and artistry. She even learned the Advanced 2 syllabus, but with the pressure of the HSC, she made the mature decision not to sit the exam.

Her Favourite Moments in Ballet

Ask Nicole what she loves most about ballet, and she’ll light up talking about two things:

• Grand allegro from the corner — that exhilarating feeling of flying across the studio
• Adage at the barre — slow, controlled, expressive movement that demands both strength and grace

These moments capture exactly why ballet remains so close to her heart.

The Corrections That Shaped Her

Every dancer has a correction that follows them through their training. For Nicole, the two she heard most often were:

• “Shoulders down”
• “Turnout”

They became part of her internal soundtrack — the kind of cues that eventually shape a dancer’s technique for life.

A Love for Contemporary

While ballet built her foundation, contemporary became her favourite style. It offered freedom, expression, and emotional storytelling — everything she loved about dance wrapped into one form. Still, ballet remains a close second, grounding her technique and refining her artistry.

A Journey Defined by Growth

Nicole’s dance history is a blend of childhood memories, technical milestones, and a deep love for movement that has stayed with her through every stage of life. From shoelace challenges to advanced ballet exams, from tiny tap shoes to soaring grand allegro, her story is one of dedication, joy, and evolution.

And like any true dancer, she continues to carry that passion with her — in every step, every stretch, and every moment she moves.