We’re looking forward to introducing you to Nicole Swope. Check out our conversation below.
Nicole, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
Yes! My daughter’s wedding was last weekend in Pittsburgh (wedding at Heinz Chapel, reception at The Pennsylvanian).
We were so proud of her and her new husband! So many laughs, tears, and beautiful memories to last a lifetime.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Nicole Swope, founder, director, and owner of Centre Dance in State College PA. I opened the studio in 1991, a few weeks after my graduation from Penn State, a few weeks after my wedding!
We offer ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, acrobatics, and stretching/conditioning to ages 2-18.
Currently, we are working on a Christmas show that will be performed mid December at the Mishler Theatre in Altoona PA. We will be dancing during the singers’/musicians’ performances with Mark Milovats.
Also, we will perform the full length Nutcracker Ballet (with our own twists) the weekend before Christmas.
Also, we are getting all of our competition pieces ready for our first full team convention/competition in Pittsburgh PA in January.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
I believe that disrespect and taking advantage of people breaks bonds between people.
I think that perspective and apologies mixed with grace can restore them.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self that yes (!) I can have my passion of dance in my life as a career. It never seemed like a reality so I second guessed this for many years as a child/teenager.
Now, 34 years later of owning my own studio, teaching thousands of children and adults, and getting to know their families over all these years, it has been sure has been realized!
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
I would love it if my closest friends would say that loyalty and thoughtfulness matter most to me.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
I think we all do our best in so many ways and silently praise ourselves for those times. It always feels great getting into bed and think about all that was accomplished that day, even if it wasn’t acknowledged or praised.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.centredance2121.org
- Instagram: centre_dance
- Facebook: Centre Dance
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