Nicole
“Being a woman to me means that I can and should be my unapologetic self. I should embrace all parts of me, both good and bad.”
Nicole is the kind of person you want to confide in when you’re having a bad day. She is encouraging, vibrant, and extremely optimistic. When she channels her energy into what she’s passionate about, such as dance, there are no limitations to what she can accomplish. Meet Nicole. This is her story.
K: Please introduce yourself!
N: Hi, my name is Nicole Ferrara and I am from Westchester, NY. My biggest passion in life is acting! I am obsessed with TV and scouting out NYC auditions. I also love to dance, and was not only a dancer in college, but a choreographer! Though I'm not dancing professionally now, I am always on top of the latest TikTok dance trends, and that counts... right?!
K: Describe yourself in your own words
N: I am a very bubbly, outgoing person. I am typically the loudest person in the room, making friends with complete strangers. Because hey, everyone is a stranger until you get to know them, right? My favorite thing is to make my friends and family laugh, and I try not to take life too seriously. I love the summer and trying out new restaurants and places to go. No matter what, I try to live my life like the fullest and never say no to a new adventure.
K: What is your favorite thing about yourself?
N: My favorite thing about myself is my sense of humor. I love to laugh.
K: Tell us a story. Have you had an experience that’s defined you or made you stronger?
N: My freshman year of college I was auditioning for all of the dance groups on campus. Almost nearing the end of my first month there, I did not get into any of them.
I was absolutely devastated. I didn't have the type of training that the others had, I didn't grow up in prestige dance studios, as my family never had that type of money. My passion for dance simply started when I took dance as a class elective in high school!
Feeling defeated, I auditioned for one last group, with this company, you audition for specific dance pieces to be in.
I was so lucky when one choreographer took a chance on me. I was thrilled, I was dancing in a company where others had been dancing since they were 5! I would sit through the run throughs patiently, and I would watch the other dancers and study their moves. The technique would take a while to learn, but I would watch carefully as they pointed their toes and elongated their arms. I'd wait the entire night through all 25 dances until mine was chosen. When it was, I would shake with nerves, scared they would judge me. But to my surprise, they never criticized me, or never made fun. They cheered so loudly at me, as did the dancers beside me — all of whom were at similar dance levels as me. We felt just as a part of the company as everyone else!
Every night I would work on my dance techniques, stretch and practice the choreography. Fast forward to my senior year, where the maximum number of dances you could be in was 5, I was somehow able to finagle myself into 6 dances! Not only was I a choreographer, but I performed in a senior duet with my roommate, and was in a hip hop dance, a musical theatre dance, a lyrical dance and more! These were dances I never imagined myself being able to do on stage in front of hundreds of people. I am so grateful for this experience, and for that one choreographer who saw something in me, whether it had been talent, passion or drive.
K: What is one piece of advice you’d give to your younger self?
N: It is not the end of the world. I promise you, though it feels like your world is crashing and burning, it will get better. This WILL make you stronger! Don't give up on yourself, and also, don't give up on others.
K: What does being a woman mean to you?
N: Being a woman to me means that I can and should be my unapologetic self. I should embrace all parts of me, both good and bad. There are no rules, no boundaries when it comes to being a strong, independent woman. To me, being a woman just means being true to myself and supporting all of the beautiful women around me.
K: Who is one woman that inspires you? What would you say to her if she were here now?
N: My mother inspires me more than anyone else! I don't think I tell her this enough, but she is the most selfless, genuine and strongest woman I know. She always puts me first, and has overcome so much in her life. I only wish to turn out to be half the woman she is.
