A classically trained singer, pianist, and violinist, Nicole’s artistic foundation is rooted in discipline and versatility.
Before establishing herself in music and acting, she was a competitive dancer, competitive figure skater, and earned her black belt in Karate, experiences that helped shape her work ethic and performance precision.
She has trained extensively in ballet, pointe, jazz, contemporary, musical theatre, hip hop, and acro, and is fluent in French.
She is also a graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Media Production, majoring in TV, Film, and Radio with a minor in French Language (Dean’s List).
Her performance background also includes extensive theatre work, early success in talent competitions, and numerous awards and accolades, including a Young Artist Award, two Joey Awards, and a Young Entertainer Award.
This multidisciplinary training continues to inform her musical voice, bringing emotional nuance, control, and narrative depth to her recordings.
Beyond her work as a performer, Nicole is also the founder and Artistic Director of the NSH Arts & French Learning Centre For Kids, a Toronto-based educational space dedicated to nurturing creativity and confidence through private instruction in dance, acting, singing, piano, visual arts, and English and French language education.
Her passion for arts education reflects a desire to mentor and empower the next generation of young artists.
As Nicole continues to release new music, develop original projects, including a television series currently in development, and expand her creative footprint, Who We Are [Deluxe] stands as a statement of intention: grounded, self-aware, and forward-looking.
Nicole caught up with K9 Magazine to talk about dogs, work, and life.
Tell us all about all the dogs you’ve loved in your life.
My very first dog was named Snicker — Snicker Lucky Huff. He was a Bichon Frise and such a calm, happy, quiet dog. He was a very good boy.
I got him when I was six years old, and I named him after an audition script where I had to say, “Oh, Snicker!” After Snicker, we got Misti, then Maple, and then Muddi, who is still a baby.
Misti and Maple love to pose for the camera. Misti is a Bichon Frise, and Maple and Muddi are toy poodles. They’re all such a bundle of joy.
You’re obviously a huge dog lover. How long have dogs been a major part of your life, and how would you explain the importance of dogs to someone who hadn’t ever experienced the joy of a canine/human relationship in their life?
Even before I had my own dogs, I would always run up to any dog I saw when I was little. Dogs became a huge part of my life when I turned six and got Snicker.
I fell in love with him right away. When I first met him, he curled up on my lap and took a nap for hours. Whenever I lay down, he would crawl on top of me.
Dogs bring so much joy and unconditional love into my life. They’re so special. They always seem to know when you’re feeling sad, and they comfort you.
What are your favorite things to do with your dog(s)?
I love walking my dogs at the park. I love going for car rides with them. I love taking them to their training classes. I also love sitting on the couch, watching movies, and cuddling my dogs.
You have a really interesting career… What advice would you give to the many people who want to follow your path in career terms? What are the absolute best (and worst) things about your work?
Don’t give up. Keep practicing and getting better at what you love, and always stay creative. The best part is that it’s so much fun and you get to meet so many amazing, cool people.
The hardest part is that you might hear a lot of “no’s” before you get a “yes” — but that just makes the yes even more special.
Here are our quick-fire questions. Are you ready?
Which do you prefer and why?
Big dogs or little dogs?
Little dogs, because I have them, although I love all dogs. I love big dogs too. I just feel like, because I’m so little, I don’t know how I’d manage having a big dog, but I do still love them.
Calm, relaxed dogs or dogs who live at 100mph?
Calm, relaxed dogs. It’s hard to keep up with dogs who live at 100mph, but it is cute when they’re playful and fun.
Dogs who do as they’re asked most of the time, or dogs who do pretty much whatever they like whenever they like?
It’s entertaining to watch dogs do whatever they like, but I’d pick dogs who do as they’re asked most of the time.
Dogs who love to walk by your side or dogs who like to race off and cover ten thousand yards in 3 seconds?
Walk by your side. My dog Misti gets so excited for walks that she pulls on the leash. It’s very funny.
Days off or days at work?
Days at work. I love being busy. Sometimes I don’t know what to do on my days off.
The fastest route or the scenic route?
The scenic route. I love car rides.
Nighttime or early morning?
Nighttime.
Describe the last time you laughed out loud because of something you saw a dog do.
I watched my boyfriend’s dog Winston chase his tail and then get frustrated because he couldn’t catch it.
What do you like to do in your downtime?
Hang out with friends, watch movies, and go bowling.
Let us in on a secret that very few people know about you.
I could eat similar things, if not the same thing, every day. I have at least one protein bar a day. I don’t eat chicken or meat, and I don’t eat much dairy.
What is your current favorite…?
TV show?
The Morning Show.
Album?
Too many to name one.
Film?
Wicked: For Good.
Website?
My website, nshlearning.com.
Animal charity(s)?
There are many. Save Our Scruff is definitely one. It’s a non-profit organization in Ontario dedicated to rescuing dogs from unfortunate situations.
CNIB helps train future guide dogs. World Animal Protection is a great organization that helps protect animals.
Tell us about some of the most memorable moments from your work.
So many! Releasing my music was a big one, and seeing my billboard up at Yonge and Dundas in Toronto was surreal. Filming my music video with my friends and my boyfriend was also really special.
And definitely attending the premiere of Luckiest Girl Alive — that was such an exciting moment.
Finish the following sentence, “Dogs are…”…
Dogs are pure unconditional love in its most honest form. They’re loving, loyal, healing, and present in a way that is so special.
And finally, this is always a tough question and often requires some serious thought… If dogs had the ability to speak, and you could ask your dog just one question and one question only, what would you ask them, and what do you think that they’d say?
I would probably ask them, “What is your biggest dream?” To be honest, I don’t know what they’d say. I hope they’d say to never let them go.
Whatever it is, I’d make it happen for them.
Anything else you’d like to share with our readers? This is an opportunity to talk about any causes, projects, business ventures, etc, that are important to you and you’d like us to tell our readers about.
Spread love, and that goes towards animals as well. Also, I’ll be releasing more music and projects for sure. Stay tuned!
Thanks, Nicole!
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Photo credits:
Nicole Huff
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