meet the owners
Dance Instructor, Choreographer
Nicole has been dancing since the age of three and has dedicated much of her life to studying, performing, teaching, and creating within the world of dance. She began her training at Darlene’s Dance ’N Such in Fremont, California, under the direction of Darlene Castro-Easterling. As a young dancer, Nicole spent several summers training in Los Angeles at the EDGE Performing Arts Center, where she studied with many of the industry’s respected instructors and choreographers.
After high school, Nicole continued her education at Humboldt State University, studying under Linda Sievers and Sharon Butcher. During her time at Humboldt, she played an instrumental role in helping establish the university’s dance major and became the first graduate of the program, earning a B.A. in Dance Studies.
Following graduation, Nicole was awarded a scholarship to attend the Alvin Ailey Summer Intensive in New York City. While in New York, she worked on several dance projects and filmed a pilot episode for the reality television series In ’da Club. Upon returning to California, she continued performing and choreographing with companies throughout the Bay Area, including Ross Dance Company, Soul Conspiracy, NorCal Dance Company and Chapkis Dance.
Over the years, Nicole has worked extensively with dancers in recreational and competitive settings. She has been recognized for her choreography and has received numerous awards throughout her career. She believes in providing dancers with strong technical foundations and the opportunity to challenge themselves, whether their goals are to compete, perform professionally, pursue dance at the collegiate level, or simply become the best dancer they can be.
For Nicole, the impact of dance extends well beyond the studio. She has had the privilege of watching generations of students grow and pursue a wide variety of paths. Some have continued their dance education at the college level or gone on to dance professionally, while others have become doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs, parents, and leaders in their communities. She believes the discipline, confidence, creativity, resilience, and sense of community developed through dance can become lifelong gifts.
Her connection with her students and their families has always been an important part of her career, often continuing long after their time in her classes has ended. Those connections have made teaching much more than a profession—they have made dance a meaningful part of Nicole’s life.
In 2025, Nicole took an unexpected leap and co-founded Bellissimo Dance Co. with her longtime friend and business partner, Jessica. Opening a studio was not something Nicole had always dreamed of or planned for. What began as an idea shared between two friends quickly became a vision for something bigger—a studio that could bring together everything Nicole has learned throughout her career while creating a community that feels welcoming to dancers of all ages, abilities, and aspirations.
Today, Nicole is proud to lead Bellissimo Dance Co. alongside Jessica. She is passionate about creating a studio where dancers can receive quality training, pursue competitive and performance opportunities, develop as artists, or simply enjoy the experience of dancing. Most importantly, she wants Bellissimo to be a place where dancers feel seen, challenged, supported, and connected. Together, they are creating not just a dance studio, but a community built on their shared belief that there is room for both excellence and joy in dance.
Nicole Pagán: Co-Owner
Creative DirectoR
Born and raised in San Jose, Jessica Jimenez’s love for dance began in elementary school at The Joy of Dancing. Inspired by her older sister, she dreamed of following in her footsteps. In middle school, she transferred to Capitol Dance Company, where a pivotal moment in the 6th grade changed everything: her hip hop teacher gave her the chance to choreograph four eight-counts for the annual recital. From that moment on, Jessica knew she wanted to one day own a dance studio to teach dance and give others the opportunity to tap into their creative side.
By the time she entered Independence High School, dance had become life. Initially invited to a Marching Band meeting because she played the clarinet, Jessica noticed a sign that read “IHS Marching Band & Color Guard” and asked her mother what Color Guard was. Her mom’s reply—“The dancing girls with flags in parades”—sparked an instant connection. Jessica went on to dance with the IHS Color Guard and Winter Guard for four years, often rehearsing daily until 10 p.m., and was named Sabre Captain by her sophomore year.
Simultaneously, she auditioned for Independence High’s dance company, IndepenDANCE (or "iDance"), and earned the distinction of being the only sophomore accepted that year—making her the youngest and only three-year member in her graduating class. As a senior, she served as one of three Student Directors. Throughout high school, Jessica earned numerous accolades in dance and Color Guard, including “Rookie of the Year,” the “Lyceum Award for Best Choreography,” the “Bank of America Rising Star Award,” and the “Excellence in Performing Arts” award, among others.
After graduation, Jessica continued dancing in college and briefly performed with San Jose’s hip hop group Soul Conspiracy alongside her brother. Ultimately, she chose to pursue a career in business, earning a degree and building a successful career in Human Resources and Operations, where she’s spent over a decade thriving in compliance and business efficiency.
Outside of her professional life, Jessica is a proud mom of two sons and two daughters—both of whom have danced under the guidance of Nicole for more than seven years. Nicole has not only been a talented teacher and dancer but also a meaningful mentor to her children.
Now, Jessica is thrilled to be opening her own dance studio with Nicole. What was once a childhood dream is now becoming a reality—one built on years of passion, hard work, and the joy of sharing dance with the next generation. She couldn’t be more excited to begin this new chapter alongside someone so inspiring and dear to her heart.