We recently connected with Nicole Ohr and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Nicole, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from my first surgeon, Dr. Schneider, and my mother. I have a medical condition called Hydrocephalus, which is a life long condition requiring brain surgery. When first diagnosed, my surgeon was extremely optimistic, stating that I had this condition that I would need to monitor, however, I’m overall a healthy individual, and I should not let that get in my way. My mother also instilled in me a strong work ethic and confidence, which helped me use any type of struggle or adversity as a means of strength.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Nicole Ohr, and I’m a New York City based tap dancer. I’ve been in the industry since 2008, and have danced for Undertoe Dance Project (tap dance captain), Mazel Toes, Tam Fam, and Germaine Salsberg’s Les Femmes Plus. I’ve also had the opportunity to perform in venues such as B.B. Longs, Symphony Space, Times Square, and the TODAY Show.
In 2014 I began producing Dance Astoria, a dance festival held in Astoria, Queens in collaboration with local businesses. This dance festival features both professional dance artists, along with local dance studios. 2 years ago, a committee (Alex Dombroski, Joan Liu, Alex Martin, Bianca Megaro) was formed to help continue to build Dance Astoria. We will be holding our first winter festival on January 12, 2025, from 1pm-3pm, at Bohemian Hall& Beer Garden.
I also founded my own tap dance company in 2014, Cole Collective, and we’ve performed in numerous dance festivals throughout New York City. Our more recent work, “11,” depicts my journey with hydrocephalus, and undergoing 11 brain surgeries. For future directions, I’m looking to further expand this piece to a full evening length work. I’m also looking into collaborating with local musicians to create a tap dance and live music show in Astoria, Queens.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The three qualities that I think were most impactful in my journey were being organized, working well with others, and being determined regardless of setbacks.
My advice for folks that are early in their journeys would be to network. A lot of the people that I’ve worked with and/or worked for, I’ve met through connections. Community plays a huge role in dance!
To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?
The most impactful thing my parents did for me, was encourage me to follow my dreams while also instilling a strong work ethic in me, and a mindset that I still need to make sure that I can support myself. It’s all about balance.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @coletaps85
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@taps1985?si=Zq_StVR2m_5Ftt2f
Image Credits
Chris Mare Film & Photography for the shot on the box, the headshot, and the shot under the bridge.
John Caden for the shot in the air.
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
