Nico's style is rich in old-school grooves and 90s-style jazz funk lines, and also draws on contemporary hip hop and hip-hop technique fundamentals. In class, you may get anything from gritty swag to a fierce pop performance routine. In jazz funk, he highlights his more technical side. But in all of Nico's classes, dancers get the chance to tap into a feeling or emotion. Class members appreciate Nico's physically challenging choreography and the diversity of his movement. He also encourages individuality and risk-taking in class, and students enjoy his warm, energetic personality. Nico is a patient teacher who really wants students to learn. He breaks the moves down thoroughly and reviews when needed. Classes offered are intermediate/advanced level. He strives to keep his moves intermediate, but complex musicality and dynamics raise the bar for more advanced students.
ARTIST BIO
A California "Bay Area" native, with over ten years of dancing, teaching, and choreography experience, Nico O’Connor's ability to dance and learn syncopated movement has always come natural to him. Specializing in Jazz Funk and Hip Hop, his training also includes Ballet Folclorico (traditional Mexican culture dance), Salsa, Jazz, Contemporary, and Ballet. Growing up in northern California, Nico immersed himself within the dance community around him, taking all the classes he could and eventually dancing for a handful of companies and several bay area artists. He was a member of the well known non-profit dance troupe Culture Shock Oakland, and a backup dancer for artists like Disney's Kristy Frank, and filipino star Kim DelFierro. He was a featured dancer in the Bollywood film “Duhaan in America” and at “Wild 94.9 Doghouse” Comedy Jam. His theater credits include “The Nutcracker” with California Ballet Academy, Chino in “West Side Story”, Fleance in African American Shakespeare’s Company, “The Macbeth Project”, and in the ensemble casts of “The Wizard of Oz”, and “Cinderella”.
Working professionally in Los Angeles, Nico has danced in ads for: Wal-Mart/Latin Grammys, Sean T's Rockin Body Fitness, and MC hammer's reality show. He has appeared in music videos for Finger 11, Stephie Ray, NLT, and was a dancer for artists Kat Graham, Prima J, AB Soto, former Pussycat Doll Jessica Sutta, and for Pink at the AMA’s. You can see him on the DanceNetwork’s,“Steady Mobbin”, on SiTv’s “The Drop” and he has also worked with Tabitha & Napolean Dumo on FOX ’s "Mobbed" and casted in their “No Ho Ho Hooligan” Holiday Show.
As an assistant choreographer he has worked closely with Chonique Sneed & Lisette Bustamonte on MTV's Americas Best Dance Crew, Britney Spears Femme Fetale World Tour & korean pop girl group, Girls Generation. In addition to that he’s assisted Candace Brown on several international dance showcases including Poland’s “You Can Dance”. On television, his choreography includes setting a duet between actors Kristen Bell and Don Cheadle on a promo for Showtime’s “House of Lies”, and China’s vocal competition show “Heroes of Remix”. On stage, Nico has choreographed for Brian Justin Crum, Todrick Hall’s “Twerk the Halls” Christmas Show, Latin Artist Noelia on her “40 Degrees” international tour, and “Ms. Viet Nam Continents” beauty pageant. Other credits include: Bloomingdales, Disney, Boeing, Chevrolet, Rupaul’s Drag Con, Gold’s Gym, DanceOn, DancePlug, Turning Stone Casino, and Choreographers Carnival Ball.
As an internationally known dance instructor, he has taught classes in regions like Japan, China, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Canada, Russia, Germany, Poland, and England. Nationally he’s been able to instruct at some of the countries most reputable dance studios such as Debbie Reynolds Dance Studios, International Dance Academy (IDA), American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA), Broadway Dance Center (NY & TOKYO), and Peridance Capezio Center.
Nico is currently on faculty at Millennium Dance Complex, EDGE Performing Arts Center, and Movement Lifestyle, all located in the Los Angeles area. Signed to Go 2 Talent Agency and starting to creatively direct a production company, He continues to teach at various gyms, schools, workshops, community events and kids programs. Passionate about educating youth on the principles of dance and promoting active lifestyles. His inner groove and sharp ear for musicality sets him apart from the rest. Creatively he’s known for his dynamics, visual concepts, and staging. As a professional dancer, choreographer, and instructor, Nico's passion for dance has allowed him to follow his dreams and achieve many goals, now able to share his experience and knowledge with others who share the same passion.