[IMPACT] MOVEMENT

Seventeen years ago, I gave my life to a stage and bright lights. Dance was hardly on the surge that it’s currently on. Furthermore, hip hop dance was still on an upwards discovery. Movement and technicality was often based on legends like Michael Jackson, Paula Abdul, and Madonna. Inspiration always came from iconic or old figures like Fred Astaire or Gene Kelly. I look back on 1999 as a “sweet spot” to bring dance back. If you can recall, the nation was divided with Britney vs. Christina, Spice Girls was on the tail end of their career, the so called “Latin invasion” erupted gringos, all the original members of Desitiny’s Child were still together, and both ‘NSync and Backstreet Boys were on a successful sophomore album. People were certainly further into a party mode with hits like “Back That Azz Up” and the famous summer anthem, “Thong Song.” (Thank you Sisqo)

Dancers were just getting into that early sizzle with saucy pop hits, but it was hardly an ode to hip hop like Krush Groove, Wild Style, and Breakin’. This is where art begins to go through a rebirth; a point where old meets new. The world gave us America’s Got Talent, So You Think You Can Dance, America’s Best Dance crew, Step Up, You Got Served, the list goes on. And let’s be honest, we are all thankful for Beyonce. But for a bunch of lost and hungry dancers with stars in their eyes, inspiration ends up coming from much different places.

I must have been in my early 20’s when I met Nicki Niemet. She was a very smart, young, blonde, fresh-faced, high school girl who had pretty much managed to walk into our dance company with a risky but talented audition. You could tell she was new to the game. She came with some breakdance moves, some experience in choreography, and additional swag. This was her first major audition, and although she was a new soul, there was without a doubt, a sense that she would fit in well. Catching on is an understatement to what she would manage to do over the next few years.

Fast-forward to this moment where we managed to find a moment in her busy schedule and speak on her way of grasping the concept she calls Impact Movement. This is something she has been feeding into the dance community. Its real impact was founded in her journey. This is where we begin to talk about her accomplishments, her goals, what brought her here, and what keeps her inspired.

I previously mentioned how inspiration for this generation of dancers would be plucked from a plethora of places. Certainly, the dance journey would have us meet a number of experienced choreographers and dancers that we would derive more interpretations of dance and hip-hop. Yet, where did WE originate? Where did the passion come from?

“I grew up with several teachers that impacted me,” she continues, “it showed me how much impact one person can have on someone’s life.” She recalls a specific teacher from her middle school days, “Mr. Pouhy was just a really cool teacher. We would talk about so much deep stuff…I was always excited to be on his team. He [sic] made middle school such a good time for me.” More influential people would come after having her first encounter with contemporary dance in high school, where she says, solidified her aspirations “that’s what I want to do.”

She started dancing at 15 when she joined her high school Orchesis. It was there where she met Suavé, who asked her to audition for his dance company. Her involvement with Hip Hop ConnXion was her next step in harnessing what impact would mean to her.   “We had a purpose, we were always about having a positive message and a good work ethic. I wanted to be that person for my students. I know how much it would mean to have that for them.” Following Hip Hop ConnXion, she went on to pursue hip-hop and other genres with several dance companies in Chicago. In this time, she spent it auditioning, choreographing for music videos, entertaining at weekend events, and working with local artists.

It was in this part of her experience where she witnessed the attitudes that come along with criticism, defeat, and even success. Although others were just as hungry as she was for the best opportunity, Nicki would hold on tightly to her past teachings to remain the dancer she wanted to be with precisely the heart for positivity she was given.   She too would experience hard criticisms and lost auditions, but her journey would cease to bring an end.

She settled into successful teaching jobs in dance that allowed her to plant the seeds of her experience into a new generation of hungry dancers. Nicki says, ”now that I’m older, I know how to see myself in my students’ life. I care about my students so much that I’m trying to show them how to care about more than just themselves.” She explains why this is so important, “sometimes it scares me how lost dancers become. Not just in dance, but as an artist. I see talented people not know how much more they can offer and how they limit themselves. What else can you do? How can you build on that than just be called out in class…how to deal with yourself when you aren’t getting that gratification.” She goes back to clarify how her experiences define this statement, “Someone’s approval should not be the end all and be all of someone’s career. I didn’t allow for people to tell me who I was. It will eventually get there whether they see it or not. This day and age, kids are killing it on YouTube. Some 16 year olds are not on that level. I’m a believer in heart and in fighters. Being talented is important but not the soul factor in what is going to make it last if this is what you want to do.”

This is how Impact Movement came to be. It was created as a link to connect Nicki to her students. It is shared with the motto “Be Impactful vs. Impressive.” “It started a few years ago with some of my original students with just a simple message that I shared with them; to always lead with purpose instead of ego.” Nicki has managed to combine her shared successes with her knowledge into this simple teaching. Impact Movement is something she carries with her to her various classes and workshops in the area while absorbing motivation to keep the motto true. More simply, teaching them to not become a product of their environment. “The message is something that all people can relate to and receive.  The T-shirts are simple because the message is simple.  They were made for them as reminders to themselves and for them to wear it for themselves. Whether they’re working consistently with me or off in the world on their own they are family and all I hope, if anything, that this is the message I leave with them.” Nicki created a small line of Impact Movement merchandise to keep the message spreading. With the help of social media, she utilizes the brand in hopes to make it a global entity. “ I only hope to make an Impact on all my students and peers lives and in return hope they do the same for someone else one day.  The movement is used to help spread the message, build community & give me an outlet to promote the awesome talent I have been blessed to work with, foster and help build throughout the years.”

Keeping herself inspired happens organically. Though there is dance and classes, she mentions meditation and even fighting with her cat. But when I asked her if there was a specific person or music that keeps her inspired she mentions a treasured student. “One of my students that has been with me since my first year of teaching has really grown as a dancer. She is one of the only ones that has taken my advice and is currently taking classes in the city. She is recognized in the (dance) community and is always assisting my classes. I also brought former students of mine to teach a masterclass. Their approach on teaching was so wholesome and focused on the individual and made the dancers feel important and purposeful. I love how self-aware they made me feel.” I think its safe to say that although many elements contribute to the love of dance, movement, and art itself; living a life as a student for the students is what makes the Impact Movement.

Photos courtesy of Ryan Shi Photography & EDDO Photography