Meet Nicole Thomas | Owner of Dunamix Dance Project

We had the good fortune of connecting with Nicole Thomas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Nicole, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I was about 20 years old and I wanted to offer dance classes to children in an environment that protected them from body shaming issues, respecting childhood innocence while keeping the art technically strong.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I often see projects we do at Dunamix in dreams, or played out in my mind like a movie, or a download. I am very proud of the work we have created over the years, but especially what I’ve been coming up with lately. It feels authentic, healing, cathartic. Although many of my students are still teenagers, I believe the experience of creating honest, inspired work has a tremendous impact in their lives as well.

We started the studio back in 2000, it was a very slow and humble beginning, we were given space from a church, then rented from other studios, and it grew over the years. It was a lot of work, but I was very supported by lots of talented parents and business owners, and there was a lot of joy!

I think the major lessons I learned came from working for other studios. My artistic voice was shut down, so I strive to give my teachers as much freedom as possible when they create their own work. I also saw bullying happen at other studios, so we are careful to shut that kind of behavior down, talk to the kids about how to treat each other, how to be kind human beings. I believe that setting a high expectation creates a healthy environment. Another thing that often happened is students would get placed in the wrong levels, for example I remember a highly trained ballerina from Japan came who was placed at her age level but not her technique level and the studio I was working for refused to put her in a higher class because she was too young. We evaluate our new students and place them where they should be to receive the best training possible.

I am certified through American Ballet Theater of New York to teach preschool through professional level ballet, I train my teachers to bring excellence to their classes and we evaluate them throughout the year. It’s an honor and passion of mine to bring quality art to this Valley.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.

Oh wow, I’m so happy to show people around the area!!! We have incredible restaurants! My favorites are Le Coffee Shop, Bottega Italia, EAT, Goat and Vine, Public House, Sushi Boat, the chicken tacos at Elsinore Tacos are unparalleled. The bangers at Annie’s. The Press Coffee is divine.

I love Wilson Creek, Coin Op is fun for a night out, the speak easy at Crush and Brew is amazing, dancing in old town is great, the farmers market on Saturday is fantastic- there is a new coffee company there called Ambient Bean, so great!!! Trampoline parks, hot air balloons, the Santa Rosa plateau, throwing axes… I mean, let’s just make it a month stay. Coctails by my pool is also great, I have the very best friends in the world

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Frank the Tank Thomas, is my number one support person. He works at the studio doing administration, believes in the vision and gives me encouragement to go after my dreams. I am very loved and honestly, if it wasn’t for him I wouldn’t have the confidence or support to go after my dreams like I have.

Website: DunamixDanceProject.com

Instagram: DunamixDanceProject

Image Credits
Mark Ritter is our brilliant photographer 🙂