NICOL

Words & Photography - Rinaldo Sata

I first met Nicol Edmonds at a house party and we immediately got on. There was something about him - cool yet relaxed, with a quiet confidence that felt both earned and unforced. A few weeks later, we began planning a shoot together: something minimal and honest, that would capture Nicol not only as “the dancer”, but as the man behind the work.

Our photoshoot took place in the main rehearsal room of the Royal Opera House. It was a Saturday - quiet, light streaming in through a massive skylight - and Nicol had booked the space for us for two hours. He first took me to his dressing room, where he’d laid out a few outfit options. We decided to mix his rehearsal pieces with some classic staples - ribbed tank tops, worn Levi’s - a simple balance between discipline and ease.

“I’d love to create something powerful, visceral and candid” he said. “Like the stuff you do.” As soon as we started shooting, he slipped into movement instinctively, almost as if the curtain had just gone up. I stopped us for a moment; I wanted to slow it down. The goal wasn’t to perform - it was to capture him as he is: beautiful, self-assured, relaxed, at ease in his masculinity and intimacy.

From that point on, everything clicked. I’d never seen him dance in person before, and in between frames he began to move - subtle gestures, short sequences, moments of flow. We ended up blending those fragments of motion into the portraits. The result feels like a quiet dialogue between stillness and energy - exactly what I’d hoped for.

Between rehearsals, study sessions, and recovery days, Nicol and I sat down to talk about his career, this point in time, and how he’s learning to hold both ambition and ease in equal measure.

The Conversation

Rinaldo: What made you want to do this shoot now, at this stage in your career - and particularly with me?

Nicol: Over the past few years I’ve been on such a transformative journey, both professionally and personally, and I wanted to capture who I am now - as a snapshot of this moment in time and as an expression of my career and achievements so far. When I first saw your work, I felt an immediate draw to your aesthetics. I really admire the way you portray the subtleties of emotion while maintaining a minimalist, chic approach - it resonates with me both artistically and personally.

Rinaldo: That’s always the hope - to keep it simple enough that something real can come through.

Nicol: Exactly. It’s about letting the delicacy of expression speak for itself, without lots of distraction or noise.

Rinaldo: How would you describe where you are in your career at the moment?

Nicol: I’m in a really good place. I’m 34 and have been dancing professionally for fifteen years. I’ve achieved a lot of what I set out to do, and it’s very fulfilling to feel my mind and body working in sync - I want to reap the benefits of that alignment for as long as I can. I’ve worked hard and consistently to get here. Of course, I still experience artistic and physical challenges, but what’s given me more freedom is shifting my mindset from constantly striving and achieving to being fully present - focusing on being the best dancer and artist I can be in each and every moment. In all honesty, I’ve never felt more present in both my career and personal life, and it’s a very satisfying place to be.

Rinaldo: That balance seems to come through in the way you talk - and the way you move.

Nicol: (laughs) Im not going to pretend it hasn’t been a journey - It’s certainly taken a while to get here and there is always further to go.

Rinaldo: What’s next for you, looking ahead?

Nicol: I’d like to keep dancing for as long as I can - but I’ve also been thinking about life beyond the stage. I’ve started my final year of a psychology degree, and once I finish, Im thinking of doing a master’s in counselling and psychotherapy. Working at this level with The Royal Ballet has brought its fair share of inevitable stresses and anxieties, and I’ve learned how much success depends on the ability to navigate and manage them - its not just talent! So for me it feels very meaningful to think I could combine my professional and personal knowledge with my studies in order to support others.

Rinaldo: That connection between psychology and performance makes complete sense.

Nicol: It does. Both are about awareness - of yourself (especially yourself), of others, of how you move through challenge, and of where you choose to focus your energy.

Rinaldo: What advice would you give to younger dancers starting out?

Nicol: Commitment and discipline are, of course, essential in classical ballet - but I would also encourage dancers to cultivate balance in their lives alongside their careers. It can feel very vulnerable if your work is your only pillar of support. A well-rounded and supported dancer becomes more secure and resilient - and ultimately, a better dancer. Diversifying your interests and sources of support as much as your schedule allows is key.

Rinaldo: That’s something that applies far beyond ballet, really. Who have been the people who’ve supported or shaped you the most along the way?

Nicol: Definitely my parents. They always believed in what I was trying to do, even when it probably looked impossible. They backed me completely - even when my ambitions caused them a few headaches (laughs). And then my director, Kevin O’Hare. He’s been my boss since I joined The Royal Ballet at 21. I believe he saw something in me early on and gave me the space to grow into it. That trust has meant a lot to me.

Rinaldo: I can imagine that having someone who believes in you is huge. After those long days of rehearsals and performances, how do you switch off?

Nicol: Honestly? I usually end up horizontal on my sofa, my whole body aching, watching The Real Housewives - any franchise will do (though Salt Lake is my current favourite)! Beyond that, and my studying, I’m a very social person, so spending time with friends and family is really important to me. They fill me with life and energy, and I’d be lost without them. I feel incredibly lucky to have the connections I do.

Rinaldo: - Its been great chatting with you and creating these images together. It was one of those rare collaborations where trust and creativity fell into perfect rhythm. We both knew exactly what we were trying to say, and the work unfolded naturally from that shared space.

Nicol: You too. Im grateful we did this and I feel excited about what we have created together.

Thank you.

You can catch Nicol on stage at the Royal Opera House this season in Perspectives: Balanchine, Marston, Peck, The Nutcracker and Woolf Works.