Still keeping up with music education

FROM LATIN BALLROOM DANCING TO K-POP MOVES

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Growing up in Singapore, Nicole, a former CHIJ (Toa Payoh) student, has always been interested in dance.

She picked up Latin ballroom dancing when she was eight and participated in regional competitions until she was 17, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit.

Her interest shifted to K-pop after being introduced to K-pop boy band BTS by a friend when she was in Yishun Innova Junior College. She then started watching K-dramas too.

Citing BTS member Suga, known for his songwriting skills, as her role model, Nicole pursued songwriting and composition at local private music high school Hit-maker Global Academy while in JC.

She then relocated to Melbourne, Australia, in February 2024 when Monash University offered her a place in its three-year Bachelor of Music (composition and music technology) programme.

After a year at Monash, the opportunity to be part of a K-pop girl group was too good to pass up. She decided to discontinue her studies and signed a five-year contract with Na Entertainment for a shot at being an idol.

But the driven young singer has no plans to give up her music education. She is currently pursuing an online bachelor’s degree in songwriting and music production from Musicians Institute in Los Angeles, US, and still has about three more years to go.

Finding the time to juggle schoolwork with daily K-pop training from noon to 9pm and performances has been challenging, but she is in it for the long haul.