​Nicole Oxendine is a dancer, educator, activist, and organizer dedicated to cultivating connections through dance.

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Empower was founded in 2015 by Nicole Oxendine, a lifelong dancer whose belief in the power of movement to transform lives led her to teach in Durham's public schools. Observing the wealth of incredible talent among students who could not afford to delve deeper into their arts education, Oxendine recognized a clear need for affordable dance education beyond what the schools could provide. 

 

This, along with witnessing the erosion of her students' self-confidence from their elementary years to their transition to high school fueled Oxendine's desire to create a safe space for dancers to discover and celebrate their natural beauty, a space where seemingly small decisions about costuming and hairstyles took on new meaning. While Oxendine danced with these questions her heart was in the logistics of providing access to dance education. 

 

The stage was set for Oxendine to develop her expertise and interests, to create an educational experience so needed in her community. Her passion was to create an accessible, safe space for dancers of all abilities and backgrounds. With Oxendine pulling from her background in dance therapy to create the curriculum she so wished to see in the world Empower Dance Studio was born. 

 

Now in its sixth year, Empower Dance Studio has become a cornerstone of Durham's arts community and beyond. Empower classes blend professional technical dance instruction with a commitment to fostering the personal growth and confidence of each dancer, welcoming all to explore their potential. By creating a safe and inclusive space that appreciates all dancers as they are, Empower Dance Studio has created a thriving community of students and instructors passionate about the power of movement to connect with the self and navigate the world with a confident and joyful spirit.