We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nicole Ohr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nicole below.

Hi Nicole, thanks for joining us today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

In 2013, the dance company that I had been performing with for 5 years, Undertoe Dance Project, was discontinuing, along with the outdoor dance festival, Astoria Dance Festival, that was founded by the company. I felt that this event was worth furthering, and as a result, took on the position of co-producer, renaming the festival Dance Astoria. I had no previous experience as a producer, however, this event I felt was one of a kind. Bringing dance to the public, to both bring more visibility to the arts, and to support local businesses, in my mind, was a way to create great community. My former choreographer provided me with the contacts at Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, and from there we booked the space, and found local businesses to help sponsor the event.

Co-producing was completely out of my comfort zone, however, I found out a lot about myself through taking a risk. First, I have decent communication skills, and absolutely love creating community. This event required me to communicate with the venue, and with all the participants. I was also required to sort out specific details in terms of scheduling, and setting up, and to make difficult decisions. 11 years later, Dance Astoria has a committee of 4 members, 16 local business sponsors, two hosting venues (thank you Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden, and Pig Beach BBQ, Queens), and now a summer and winter festival.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Nicole Ohr. I’ve been in the industry since 2008, when I graduated with my BA in Dance & Psychology from Hofstra University, specializing in tap dance. I auditioned for my first company, Undertoe Dance Project, right out of school, and was casted. Since then, I kept training, and networking, which led me to dance for choreographers such as Felipe Galganni, Shelby Kaufman, Tamii Sakurai, and Germaine Salsberg. Currently, I’m teaching at Ballet Hispanico, Broadway Dance Center, and Steps on Broadway. I also founded Cole Collective in 2014, a tap dance company based in NYC, the same year I began co-producing Dance Astoria.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

When running into difficulties, instead of giving up, patience and problem solving helps an individual persist. After running into production difficulties, taking a step back, and looking at what problems were occurring and what needed to be done in order to keep the festival running, helped me persist.

After my co-producer stepped down, I knew I didn’t want to give up the festival, however, I also knew I needed support. Reaching out to my community to gage who was interested, and to seek support, helped me form a committee to help continue this mission of bringing dance to the public, and creating community with local businesses in my neighborhood. This occurred in 2022, and now we have gone from 1 venue, and 1 festival, to two venues, and two festivals.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is being so in tune with yourself, and being able to have an outlet to express. As a currently doctoral student in school and community psychology, I fully understand the need for coping tools, and a means to express ones self.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.instagram.com/coletaps85/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danceastoria2014/
• Linkedin: https://www.instagram.com/colecollective2014/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Taps1985
• Soundcloud: https://www.youtube.com/@nicoleohr8341

Image Credits

Headshot – Chris Mare Film & Photography
Beer Garden Photo – Eric Bandiero
Unisphere – Robin Michals