Meet Nichelle Bane

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Nichelle Bane. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Nichelle, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’ve always had a strong sense of self-drive. As a child, I remember watching the older dancers and wanting to be in their classes. One day, I told my mom I wanted to move up to a class above my level. She told me I wasn’t ready yet. I simply replied, “I will be in that class.” And by the next year, I was.

I’ve also been fortunate to have amazing people in my life who showed me what true work ethic looks like. My parents are both hardworking, strong individuals, and I’ve always admired them. I know much of my strength and determination comes from them. Beyond my parents, I’ve had many role models—teachers, mentors, and peers—who have shaped me in meaningful ways.

Of course, a bit of my own personality played a role too. I’ve always been a little stubborn and a perfectionist. Being an Aries, I can definitely be hard-headed, but in a way that drives me to push forward and give my very best.

One of the greatest influences, though, has been ballet. It’s an art form rooted in discipline, and it teaches so much about life, work ethic, and resilience. I’m proud to come from that world because it not only shaped me as a dancer, but also as a person.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

Professionally, my world has always revolved around dance—performing, teaching, and creating. Dance has been the foundation of my life, shaping not only my career but also my values and outlook. What excites me most is the way dance connects people. It’s not just about movement—it’s about energy, emotion, and the way it can inspire joy, confidence, and community.

I’ve been fortunate to explore this through different avenues. One of them is Astra Dance Theatre, where I serve as the resident choreographer. Astra gives me the chance to fully embrace my artistic side—telling stories through movement, blending dance with theatrical elements, and creating pieces that leave a lasting impression. Some of the productions I’ve choreographed include The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari, inspired by the iconic 1920s German silent horror film that we reimagined for the stage, and CoDine, a short film about the opiate epidemic that has been winning awards on the international film festival circuit. Both projects reflect how dance and storytelling can honor history, spark conversations, and connect with audiences in powerful ways.

At the same time, I recently launched Dancovate, a program that brings motivational dance classes into businesses and organizations as a team-building experience. Whether it’s salsa, disco, hip hop, or jazz, the goal is to get people moving, smiling, and working together in a new way. I truly believe dance has the power to boost health, mood, and productivity, and Dancovate is my way of sharing that with people outside of the traditional studio or stage setting.

What’s most special to me about this work is that it combines everything I love: my decades of experience as a dancer, teacher, and choreographer, and my passion for helping people feel empowered through movement. Watching a group light up, let go of their stress, and connect with each other—that’s incredibly rewarding.

Looking ahead, I’m excited to continue expanding both sides of my work—Astra Dance Theatre as a platform for artistic storytelling, and Dancovate as a motivational, team-building program. While they may seem very different, they are deeply connected: both are about using dance as a powerful tool—to inspire, to communicate, to bring people together, and to remind us of the strength we all carry within us. Right now, Dancovate is just me leading the classes, but I hope to eventually bring in other instructors so more companies and communities can experience the joy of dance. Both projects feel deeply personal yet full of possibility, and I’m so proud of the way they allow me to share my love of dance with the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have been most impactful in my journey are discipline, resilience, and curiosity.

Discipline came first from ballet. Ballet is all about structure, precision, and consistency, and that discipline carried over into every part of my life. It taught me to show up, work hard, and keep striving for excellence. For anyone starting their journey, I’d say discipline is like a muscle—you build it by creating small habits and sticking to them, even when it’s not easy.

Resilience has been equally important. The arts—and really, any career—are full of challenges and setbacks. I’ve had moments of doubt, rejection, or exhaustion, but resilience is what helps you get back up, learn, and keep moving forward. My advice is to not be afraid of failure—it’s actually where some of the greatest growth happens.

Finally, curiosity has kept me inspired and evolving. I’ve always loved learning, whether it’s new dance styles, teaching methods, or even launching something completely new like Dancovate. Staying curious allows you to adapt and discover opportunities you might not have imagined at the start. For those early in their journey, I’d encourage you to stay open—try new things, take classes, seek mentors, and never stop exploring.

Even though I speak about dance, these lessons can be applied to all areas of life and careers. If I could give one overall piece of advice, it would be this: work hard, stay open, and don’t give up on yourself. Every step—whether it feels like a success or a setback—is shaping the artist and person you’re meant to become.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I’m always looking to connect with artists who are interested in collaborating on choreography projects—whether it’s for stage, film, or other creative ventures. I’m also open to partnering with anyone who can help expand Dancovate or bring fresh ideas to the program.

Additionally, I’d love to connect with companies or organizations that want to experience Dancovate as a fun, energizing team-building dance experience. If you’re interested in collaborating or bringing a class to your group, the best way to reach me is email- [email protected], or website- nichellebane.com.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Roger Fojas Photography

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