COCA alum Nicaya Wiley joined COCA at 13 after being a competition dancer and appearing on Dance Moms from Seasons 2–7. During her time at COCA, she trained under Antonio and Kirven Douthit-Boyd, Lee Nolting, Anthony “Redd” Williams, and other incredible teaching artists.
“Some of the best dancers I have ever been around have been at COCA,” Wiley shared. “It was such a family.”
Nicaya was an active member of COCAdance and COCA Hip-Hop Crew, training in ballet, tap, jazz, and modern. Her summers were spent away at dance intensives, with one of the most transformative being her time at The Ailey School.
Encouraged never to limit herself, Nicaya embraced the diverse training COCA offered, shaping her into a versatile professional artist. She also had the privilege of learning from renowned guest artists such as Judith Jamison, Matthew Rushing, and Ronald K. Brown.
“People would wait until their twenties and thirties to meet these instructors, and I was getting trained by them at a young age,” Wiley reflected. “I was truly prepared for a professional dancer in the industry.”
In 2018, Nicaya won first place in the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition, an event presented by the Fox Performing Arts Charitable Foundation. The foundation, led by Mary Strauss, has been instrumental in fostering the arts scene in St. Louis and has long supported COCA.
“A lot of kids need the structure that COCA provides,” said Wiley. “Everything that you need, COCA has—classes, a place to do homework, dancewear, food, transportation. You could just show up and be you.”
After graduating from high school and COCA in 2019, Nicaya went on to study contemporary dance at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee.
Nicaya’s career has taken her across the globe, beginning with an eight-month contract performing with Norwegian Cruise Line. Cruise work was demanding, requiring her to work almost daily. Despite the rigorous schedule, the experience was unforgettable, allowing her to see and explore much of the world.
After her time at sea, Nicaya joined as a dancer for The Queens of R&B Tour with Xscape & SWV, a TV series that evolved into a nationwide tour featuring two iconic female R&B groups.
Nicaya moved home to be closer to her family after experiencing the loss of her father and brother. She continues to pursue her career as a professional artist and remains open to new opportunities.
Her advice to current COCA students is, “Love yourself, your craft, and what you want to do. If you don’t, you will not succeed.”
