The mistake most commonly made by well intending people who want to help others is that they need to conform themselves to an idealized type of contribution. The truth is that in using what makes you special, you can resonate the greatest positive effects in the world. To those whom have witnessed dancer/choreographer Nicolas Fiery’s performances at massive gatherings like the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade or countless highly attended events across the planet, it might seem as if he takes the appeal of his talent as a given; but he does not.
In addition to challenging himself as an artist, Fiery is constantly seeking out projects with which to contribute and increase public awareness of the good that can be done. Artists are sensitive by nature, it’s this attribute that makes them able to perceive the ability to inspire sooner than the rest of us. Fiery’s moving performance as key dancer in “This is Me” for Dance Against Cancer New York’s Gala was a part of marking a triumphant moment for the city with a return to in-person theater.
The event was an opportunity to aid an important cause as well as celebrate each moment we have in life. One need only to witness a few seconds of Fiery’s talent on stage to understand that his style emanates this sense of joy.
Those familiar with the Oscar nominated film The Greatest Showman might recognize the song “This is Me.” Its performance at Dance Against Cancer New York featured NYC’s most accomplished dancers such as Mr. Fiery and Kevin Boseman (brother of Oscar Nominee Chadwick Boseman). The piece was choreographed by the acclaimed Frederic Earl Mosley whose works have also been presented at such prestigious venues as the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Centers Alice Tully Hall, and Lincoln Centers “Out of Doors Series.”
Mr. Mosley is known for incorporating the influences and strengths of individual dancers into his work. Fiery contributed his own modern and hip hop choreography to the performance of “This is Me.” Anticipation of the evening’s performance was obvious in the clamor for tickets in addition to media attention of networks like CBS visiting the rehearsals for interviews.
Nicolas acknowledges that his status in the New York Dance community comes with this type of benevolent effect but stipulates that this is not his focus. Having lost two grandparents to cancer and with his mother in remission, Dance Against Cancer New York is an opportunity to bring attention to a cause that has personally touched his own family a number of times.
He states, “In this performance, I can use my art to generate donations that will support scientific researchers. This is my duty as a human and as an artist. As a professional, dancing for Mr. Mosley is already an accomplishment by itself. Having the opportunity to perform at the Lincoln Center reopening season after spending months doing more virtual performances than anything else, all of this was more than enough motivation for me to participate in this project.”
Through dance, Nicolas Fiery becomes an entity of transference for the joy and aspirations we all can share if we seek them out. You don’t have to be an expert like Frederic Earl Mosley to perceive this in the positive energy which emanates from Fiery. In his performance of “This is Me” as well as a host of others, Nicolas unearths a part of himself that is recognizable to all. This is an undeniable part of what has elevated him to being recognized as an essential part of what Dance means to New York City.
Writer: Arlen Gann