Grad student Nicole fills in the margins by dancing for the Boston Cannons Dance Team

Like New England itself, which is filled with an extensive list of important academic institutions, and lacrosse, which is emerging as high energy pro sport that emphasizes fan experience, the Boston Cannons Dance Team embodies each of these concepts themselves. In their tenth season supporting Boston’s pro team in Major League Lacrosse, the Cannons Dance Team features young women from a wide variety of colleges with a broad range of majors. But the BCDT share a common conviction to enthusiastically add dance to the sidelines entertainment at Harvard Stadium, and love every minute of it!

For example, take Nicole, in her second season with the Boston Cannons Dance Team, and her first as a line captain. Now a graduate student, Nicole double-majored during undergrad in both Anthropology and English. In addition, Nicole a totally devoted to dance, both as a performer and instructor. Nicole shared with UltimateCheerleaders why she feels like she has her dream job already, what dance adds to her life, her favorite books, and why she is bound to prefer traditional books over e-books.

Nicole began dance at a very young age, along with gymnastics, and Nicole’s mom was a big influence on putting fitness first in Nicole’s life. Her mom herself was long-time gymnast and is now an award-winning bodybuilder. Also, Nicole’s mom importantly did not allow Nicole to quit dance during her rebellious teenage years. About her mom, Nicole says, “She’s always worked her butt off, so I know no other way, really.” Asked what she thinks is the biggest misconception about women like her mom in bodybuilding, Nicole responds, “I think the biggest misconception about women in any sport is that they’re somehow inferior. My mom could bench nearly double her bodyweight. That’s obviously an extreme example. But female dancers are athletes too, and will probably never get enough recognition for it.”

From her early dance days loving to make music with her feet in tap, to contemporary and original choreography as a Dance minor in college, to entertaining on the sidelines with upbeat jazz and smile-filled cheer routines, dance and Nicole have been inter-twined throughout her life. But over the last couple of years, Nicole has really focused on making dance a centerpiece of her life, including increasing the role of dance instructor. Nicole loves how dance adds so much to her life, describing, “Making (dance) my LIFE opened up so many more opportunities almost immediately. Everything happened at the same time. I started teaching dance again. That gave way to additional dance teaching jobs. Once I auditioned and made one dance team, that gave way to another professional dance job, et cetera. It feels great to only spend my time (and get paid!) doing what I believe in and enjoy most. Think Russell in Almost Famous, ‘From here on out, I’m only interested in what is REAL! Real people. Real feelings. That’s it! That’s all I’m interested in from here on out!’”

And part of Nicole’s reality is her academic pursuits. “I’m currently working toward my MA in English at UMass-Boston,” Nicole explains. “As an undergrad, I double-majored in English and (cultural) Anthropology. I had taken just a few Anthro classes as electives, but found it interesting enough to pursue all the way. I’m personally interested in modern American fiction and women writers but have decided to turn my focus to the teaching of composition. It’s more rewarding, like teaching dance.”

So what is on Nicole’s “Top Five Book” list? “My top five are,” Nicole says, “The Age of Innocence and The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton, Song of Solomon and A Mercy by Toni Morrison, and The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway.” And Nicole’s preference, e-books or printed books? “Even though I’ve never tried an e-book,” Nicole explains, “DEFINITELY printed books! I mark up the margins and underline phrases while I read, so e-books would ruin the whole experience for me.”

Anthropology, English, and Dance; they seem like such varied disciplines. Does Nicole see any overlap in these interests? Nicole says, “In my head, yes, I could overanalyze and argue that since Anthro is the study of humanity and cultures, literature and dance are part of culture, representations of it, even. And if you think about it, there are so many ballets that have been adapted from or influenced by art, drama, and literature. But let’s be honest here, dance is just my escape from the academic world and everything else! I want to keep it separate!”

As far as her goals for grad school and her dream job post-college, Nicole explains, “My goals for grad school are to finish, most importantly, and then to spend more time on my work during the academic year. I never set aside nearly enough time for it. Like I said before, dance is my life! A dream job would be a job that allows me to still dance and teach dance so as far as I’m concerned, I’ve already found it. But I have always secretly wanted to write a book. Don’t look for it on the shelves any time soon. And don’t expect it to have an e-book version either,” laughs Nicole.

Despite all of her interest, talent, and experience in the arts, there is one endeavor Nicole stays away from. In her Cannons on-line bio, Nicole says, “I DO NOT sing. You’ll never hear it happen. Even when the BCDT did a group karaoke trip, I was the self-appointed photographer.” So Nicole, if there was one person that you could magically have their singing voice for one concert, who would it be? Nicole answers, “Stevie Nicks, which is funny, because most people don’t even think she has a great voice. I’d love to perform “Rhiannon”, “Gypsy” or even “Leather and Lace,” but only if her hair, clothes, and accessories came with it! That woman is fierce!”

So stand back, Nicole is on her way! It all started for Nicole in Massachusetts, as she describes, “I was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, where I live now, but I did live in the Boston area for about six years, and have had, let me think, five different apartments!” Nicole’s childhood memories include, “I grew up in the Nineties, so when I think of being a kid, it’s a blur of Nintendo, Nickelodeon, building couch cushion forts, and forcing my reluctant younger sister to learn my choreography to UB40 in our living room.”

And whether it is dance or composition, expect Nicole to spread the word of its impact, just like another product of her hometown, Johnny Appleseed. Johnny Appleseed, real name was John Chapman, was born in Leominster in 1774, and gained fame for spreading apple trees and the good word about apples as he headed west. If Nicole traveled the country to spread the news about anything, certainly people would listen to this extraordinarily fit young woman. So if Nicole could spread the word about the benefits of a certain food or way of eating, what would it be? “I really think that not eating breakfast is the biggest dietary mistake you can make,” Nicole answers. “There are no excuses not to. I actually get angry when people don’t eat it. A huge coffee does NOT count!”

Though lacrosse is a new part of her life, Nicole likes how the MLL fits nicely into Boston’s sports scene. “I actually have not always been a lacrosse fan and I’ve certainly never played it,” Nicole says. “It’s fun to watch, easy to get into, and very fast-paced. Cannons games are just the best all around. They’re easy to get to, easy to leave from, the tickets are reasonably priced, you get to sit outside on beautiful summer nights, the players really care about the fans (they always take time to sign autographs for the kids), there are numerous game day activities for everyone, and best of all, you get to see the Dance Team ‘do their thing!,’ as our in-game host would say.”

And this weekend is the last chance to see Nicole and the Boston Cannons Dance Team do their thing during the regular season, as the defending champ Cannons are in a battle for a playoff spot. The top four MLL teams will play right in Boston during MLL championship weekend on August 25th and 26th. And with an award winning athlete mom, Nicole knows the formula for championship success herself. Hard work, enjoying the satisfaction of teaching, her interest in fiction, and her devotion to keeping it all real with an escape of dance, Nicole is busy building a highway that will lead her to a winning life. And like her hometown’s Johnny Appleseed, Nicole undoubtedly will share her winning spirit to those she encounters along the way.

Thanks SO MUCH to Nicole for taking the time to participate in this interview. Also, many thanks to the Boston Cannons, especially Dance Team Director/Choreographer, Ashley Wagner, for allowing UltimateCheerleaders to meet the Boston Cannons Dance Team during their July 19th home game. And more interviews are on their way!

And for more photos of Nicole, click on this link