Dancer from Orlando loves the seasons, supportive people, and career connections

Senior Trinidy Rice says “my friends are my home away from home.”

Major: Dance studies

Minor: Philosophy

High school: Edgewater High School, Orlando

Celebrating my birthday with my roommates: Zipporah, myself, Kiara, and Olivia.

How did you discover Naz from Florida?

I was interested in going out of state and I got a brochure in the mail about Naz that listed a dance program, which was what I was looking for. I went online to Naz Instagram, the website, and got in touch with Amanda Brady, my admissions counselor. She put me in touch with Heather Roffe, the dance program director, and I went from there. 

I auditioned remotely for the dance program by sending in videos. I did a virtual tour. And I took it upon myself to reach out. On the dance Instagram page, I saw a student from Texas who majored in dance and public health. I DM’d her saying I’m a senior in high school and an out-of-state student. As a person of color, I chose that student because she was also a person of color who had similar interests as me and I valued getting her perspective. She sent me a long essay about her life at Naz — good things. I felt it’s a place I’m meant to be. I didn’t step foot onto campus until move-in. I had no regrets. 

I’ve found a really nice community here. My friends are my home away from home. I’m really taken care of. Sometimes I do miss home, but I’m blessed to have parents who fly me home on breaks.

Erie Canal in Pittsford, near campus

Was it a big adjustment to be far from home?

When I first got here, it kind of seemed like a totally different world. The weather is a big thing. There’s actual seasons here, which is lovely. The people are a lot friendlier. When my family came up here and we would go to a grocery store or take a walk at the canal, everything felt different. My parents love Rochester.

What do you like to do in the Rochester area?

The Erie Canal and walking trails are beautiful. Pittsford Dairy is a favorite spot, and my math professor even treated our class to ice cream there the first week! I loved my first time apple picking nearby with my dance program and snow-sledding on campus with friends down a snowy hill. I have performed in the Rochester Fringe Festival as well, which is an amazing experience. I don’t have a car here, but everyone I know does. I’ve never had trouble getting around. 

How easy is it to make friends?

I’m both introverted and extroverted. I did reach out to people before I got here. Taking that risk can be helpful. You can use social media as a tool.

For finding a roommate, Naz invited us to a Zoom call, like speed dating, for talking and exchanging contact information. Naz is good about getting students together. Someone always makes a group where people introduce themselves. Now I’m a student ambassador for Admissions and I’m an influencer on ZeeMee. This summer, students were finding roommates on ZeeMee.

I got lucky with my roommate, and we’re still living together. We first lived in a suite with two doubles and a shared bathroom. My first-year roommates are in Naz programs — Young Scholars and HEOP (Higher Education Opportunity Program) — where they got to know a very diverse group of students who became my friends.

If you need help finding a roommate, don’t be afraid to ask Naz for help. Or do the random roommate match, based on a survey you fill out about sleep habits, attitudes about having friends over, etc.

What makes you feel at home at Naz?

Naz is a very accepting place. At this school, we’re very diverse when it comes to people’s religious background or sexual orientation or cultural identity. That’s something people might worry about. Things like microaggressions can happen anywhere. There may be a person who can’t see you for who you are. But Naz is definitely growing when it comes to diversity. Give it a try. As an admissions ambassador, I give people the truth.

I’m able to have a really good connection with my professors. They understand where you’re coming from and that you’re not just a student but a regular human being. They’re also human beings. If I need help with an assignment, I go to their office hours. I love Bishal Karna. When I was sick a lot freshman year and couldn’t go to a learning activity off campus, he knew my interests and made an alternate assignment for me — to analyze a dance documentary that had to do with religious themes, so it correlated with the class. Moments like that, I feel cared for here.

Any tips for out-of-state students?

• Moving is a hassle. Get a storage unit. I have so much stuff; everyone’s different, of course. 
• You have to think about what you’re going to do during school breaks. I left my car at home but some out-of-state students want one here. One of my friends did bring one senior year; she and her mom made the road trip from Texas. Over winter break, another friend kept the car at her house nearby and drove it periodically.
• My mom got me the best winter jacket she could find. You want to have your gloves, have your hat. Have a heater in your dorm. Have medicine. I have bad sinus issues, so I was at Health and Counseling a lot. 
• Find your new home. Your friends can be your family, too. Find a trusted adult on campus, whether it’s at Health and Counseling or your favorite professors. You need someone who can help guide you.
• Have something that reminds you of home. My mom likes to send me care packages — favorite snacks, stuffed animals, a gift card for makeup.
• Overall, I tell people: Don’t be afraid. Take chances. Don’t be afraid to be alone. I traveled more than 1,000 miles across the country alone. When you graduate college, you’re going to be alone again, following your own path. We all find our way.

What drew you to study dance? And you added a minor?

My mom says when I was in the womb and she played music, I kicked the most. I was dancing from the moment I was conceived. Dance is just how I express myself. It’s such a way of storytelling and being free. It brings me so much joy.

I brought credits from Valencia College, in partnership with my high school, so I was able to complete my PEQs (“perspectives-enduring questions” core curriculum course requirements) pretty early and I had flexibility in my schedule. When I took a philosophy course, I fell in love, so I added that minor. 

What are your future plans/goals?

My dream is to go on tour as a backup dancer. I’ve been able to connect to so many different dance professionals at or through Naz. I have auditioned on campus for dance companies from New York City and Boston. Boston Dance Theatre’s tour came to Nazareth, held auditions, and I was one of six dancers selected for their residency. I stay connected with them. It was one of the best experiences here at Naz. Nazareth dance organization also has the opportunity to have our dance pieces scored at ACDA (American College Dance Association) in the northeast. Choreographers and artists also teach classes here. I’ve had so much great networking through Naz. Networking is super important and I want to continue to do just that.  

Going into junior year, instead of the dance study abroad opportunity in Italy, I talked to my career coach Cameron Perez (now Cameron Czeck) and was able to go to Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles for a dance intensive and got the opportunity to train with active artist in the industry such as Marty Kudelka (Justin Timberlake’s choreographer), James Marino, and more.

Posing at Millennium Dance Complex in Los Angeles during my dance intensive.

  

How have you grown as a college student?

Nazareth has changed the way that I’ve thought about life. Nazareth has helped me learn more about myself and opened up my mind to things I wouldn’t have thought I would have liked.

Naz has so many great opportunities for me. I’ve been able to work with a lot of professionals in my field — people who’ve come to campus and people in the community. I’ve been able to do everything I’ve wanted to do. I’ve also gained a new interest, philosophy. My life has expanded, coming to Naz. I’ve grown so much as a dancer here and as a person.

What else would a potential new student want to know?

I feel safe here. We have campus safety, the blue light system, the Safe@Naz app. Pittsford is a relatively safe environment. People who live nearby walk their dogs on campus.

Trinidy Rice ’26 is an admissions student ambassador and Nazareth Dance Organization concert coordinator.