Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicole Austin.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My journey in dance has really been a combination of passion, growth, and a lot of learning along the way. I began teaching and choreographing in 2018, and over the years I found that what I loved most wasn’t just teaching steps. It was helping dancers build confidence, understand their bodies, and discover who they are as artists.
That passion led me to continue expanding my education beyond the traditional dance classroom. I became a Certified Personal Trainer and pursued additional certifications in functional training, sports performance, nutrition, and Pilates. I wanted to better understand how dancers move, how to help them become stronger and more efficient, and how to train them in a way that supports both their performance and longevity.
As I gained experience, I also became more intentional about the kind of environment I wanted to create for dancers. I believe you can have high expectations and serious training while still creating a space where dancers feel supported, valued, and excited to walk through the door. Over time, that vision became bigger than just the classes I was teaching, and eventually it became Ignite Dance Studio.
Opening Ignite has been one of the biggest leaps I’ve ever taken. I wanted to build a studio centered around intentional training, mentorship, and genuine connection. A place where passion has a purpose. There has been a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes to get here, but seeing the studio come to life and watching dancers walk into the space for the first time has made every part of the journey worth it.
I’m still very much in the beginning of this chapter, which is what makes it so exciting. My goal is to continue growing Ignite into a place that develops strong dancers, but even more importantly, confident, hardworking, and grounded young people.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It definitely has not been a completely smooth road. Opening a studio has challenged me in ways I never expected, both personally and professionally. There have been construction delays, long days, difficult decisions, and plenty of moments where I have had to figure things out as I went.
One of the biggest challenges has been stepping away from what was familiar and trusting myself enough to build something of my own. Starting Ignite meant taking a huge leap of faith and creating everything from the ground up, from the physical space to the programs, faculty, culture, and overall vision. There is a lot that happens behind the scenes that people never see, and learning how to balance being a teacher, choreographer, business owner, and mentor all at once has definitely been an adjustment.
There have also been emotional challenges along the way. Change can be difficult, especially in the dance world where relationships and communities become such a big part of your life. I have had to learn how to stay focused on what I am building, trust the people who believe in the vision, and remind myself why I started when things feel overwhelming.
As difficult as some parts have been, I am genuinely grateful for them. Every obstacle has taught me something, made me more confident in my decisions, and helped shape the kind of leader and studio owner I want to be. I do not think Ignite would mean nearly as much to me if getting here had been easy.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Ignite Dance Studio is built around the idea that great dance training should develop the whole dancer. We focus on strong technical education, intentional training, mentorship, and creating an environment where dancers feel supported while still being challenged to grow.
We offer classes for dancers of all ages and levels, including ballet, jazz, contemporary, technique, stretch and strength, hip hop, tap, acro, and early childhood classes. We also have our Elite Performance Team for dancers looking for a more focused training and performance experience, with opportunities to participate in competitions, conventions, community events, and performances throughout the year.
What I believe sets Ignite apart is the balance between high standards and a positive culture. I want our dancers to work hard, be disciplined, and take their training seriously, but I also want them to love coming to the studio. Dance should be a place where they can build confidence, form meaningful relationships, take risks, and discover what they are capable of. Our faculty is incredibly knowledgeable and genuinely invested in each dancer as an individual.
I am especially passionate about bringing strength and conditioning into dance education. With my background in personal training, functional training, sports performance, Pilates, and nutrition, I approach technique with the dancer’s body in mind. I want our students to understand not only how to perform a movement, but how and why their body is doing it so they can become stronger, safer, and more well rounded dancers.
Brand wise, I am most proud that Ignite already feels like more than just a name or a physical studio. Everything comes back to our motto, “Where Passion Meets Purpose.” I wanted to create a brand that represents the fire dancers already have inside of them and give them a place to turn that passion into something meaningful.
More than anything, I want people to know that Ignite is about people. Of course I want to produce beautiful, technically strong dancers, but success to me is also watching a dancer become more confident, find their voice, support the people around them, and leave our studio knowing they were valued. That is the culture I hope Ignite will always be known for.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest advice is to trust yourself, stay open to learning, and understand that you do not have to have everything figured out before you begin. I think one of the hardest parts of starting something new is feeling like you need to know every answer before taking the first step. You learn so much by simply doing it.
I also think it is important to stay connected to your reason for starting. There will always be outside opinions, comparisons, and moments of doubt, but having a clear vision makes it much easier to make decisions that feel right for you and your business.
Something I wish I understood earlier is that growth does not always look the way you expect it to. Sometimes the uncomfortable moments, changes, and challenges are the things that push you toward exactly where you are supposed to be.
Most importantly, surround yourself with good people. I have learned very quickly that you cannot and should not do everything alone. Having people around you who believe in your vision, bring their own strengths to the table, and genuinely want to see you succeed makes such a difference.
If you have an idea that you truly believe in, give yourself permission to go for it. You can learn, adjust, and grow along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ignitedancestudio.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ignite.dancestudio
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BkFZ3vxRq/?mibextid=wwXIfr
