Simone Muhammad graduated from COCA in 2014, searching for the next step toward becoming a professional dancer. She later attended Nutmeg Conservatory to finish high school but looks back on COCA as the foundation of her dance education.
“Ms. Lee changed my life. I owe everything to her and my career as a dancer,” says Simone. “COCA taught me discipline and focus.”
Simone as a COCA Student
Simone, daughter of St. Louis jazz legend Denise Thimes, began training at COCA at just three years old and officially joined the Talent Identified Program (TIP) under Lee Nolting’s direction. Her favorite memories include performance days, when dancers stood hand in hand in an energy circle before stepping on stage. Simone still remembers Ms. Lee’s warm-up to this day.
While at COCA, Simone auditioned at the Regional Summer Intensive Auditions (RSIA), earning a full scholarship to The Ailey School’s summer program and additional summer opportunities with American Ballet Theatre, Brussels International Ballet School, Bolshoi, and more.
After graduation, Simone joined Charlotte Ballet’s trainee program with Jean Pierre Bonnefoux’s Sleeping Beauty. She later toured with Nashville Ballet Second Company under Christie Cardell. When she was ready for her first company position, the pandemic hit, pausing many opportunities.
During 2021 in New York, Simone trained with Charla Glenn and won a bronze medal in an international competition, performing The Dying Swan. After her success, she spent time at Jacobs Pillow and danced a season with Louisville Ballet before joining Cincinnati Ballet, where she is currently still dancing.
“I have grown so much as an artist, and this is such a dream for me to be surrounded with such a high caliber of talent,” says Simone.
Career highlights include being a featured soloist in a work by Darell Grand Moultrie and working alongside Jodie Gates. Looking ahead, Simone is interested in teaching, inspired by Ms. Lee’s commitment to expanding opportunities to dancers of color.
“Ms. Lee made it work. She scouted, had resources, clothes, and transportation to make it work,” says Simone. “It is about making it your mission, not your side quest. I find that part of my mission is to give back the knowledge that has been given to me.”
When asked about advice for current students, Simone says: “Do not let anyone tell you what you can’t do. You pave your own way.”
Simone continues her professional journey as a ballet dancer, grounded in the foundation she built at COCA.
More Photos of Simone at COCA:
