Dancing Through Difference: A Conversation with Nick Korkos

Nick Korkos is a professional dancer based in New York City with over 15 years of experience performing on stages nationwide. He’s also a proud member of the stuttering community. In a recent Zoom conversation with the NSA, Nick opened up about how stuttering has impacted his life—and how dance, teaching, and self-expression have helped him embrace his authentic self.

“How Hasn't It Affected My Life?”

Nick began by sharing that stuttering has always been a part of his story. “There’s literally nothing in my life that has not been impacted because of my speech,” he said. Stuttering runs in his family—his father also stutters—and for Nick, it’s been a lifelong journey of learning, acceptance, and growth.

Growing up in a dance-filled household (thanks to his older sister), Nick found comfort and confidence in movement. “My dancing is smooth and slow. There’s a desire to have continuous motion, something I’ve always wanted in my voice,” he explained. Dance allowed him to express emotions without words—something many people who stutter can relate to.

Nick Korkos - Quinn Wharton for SF Danceworks

Embracing Imperfection in the Studio

For Nick, teaching dance is not just a job—it’s his favorite part of being human. “It allows vulnerability to exist and be on display without having to hide it.” Whether leading a class in a studio or performing for an audience, Nick starts by openly acknowledging his stutter. That act of self-disclosure, he says, helps set the tone: “People are able to be who they are. The energy in the room changes.”

He sees teaching as a form of performance, much like professional choreography. It’s about showing up, being present, and breaking down traditional hierarchies. “I try to meet students on their level, and my speech is a vehicle to get there,” Nick shared.

Nick Korkos

Life in the Spotlight—and On Film

Many in the NSA community first met Nick through the short docufilm Bound By a Thread, directed by James Kinney and Pierre Marias. Initially cast as a dancer, Nick soon became one of the film’s main subjects. The story centers on love through the lens of disability, and Nick reflected on how powerful it was to share his experience as a queer person who stutters.

But he admitted that watching the film again stirred up complex emotions. “I regret not talking more about the struggles. Even with an amazing support system, I always knew I was different.” Like many people who stutter, Nick spent years trying to fit in and minimize his difference.

Only in recent years has he truly begun to unpack the emotional layers.

A Journey Toward Acceptance

Nick shared that it took nearly two decades to truly process the pain of growing up with a stutter.

“No matter who you are, the hardest part is acceptance—of how you chose to deal with being different and the ways you tried to hide who you are.”

Now in his 30s, Nick embraces new creative pursuits like copywriting and content creation. After 17 years of dancing professionally, he’s exploring ways to build a more stable, grounded life—without losing the vulnerability that fuels his art.

He dreams of writing a book one day, sharing his story with the world, and continuing to raise awareness about what it means to live—and thrive—with a stutter.

“Someone Told Me to Be Less Human”

Not every experience has been positive. Nick recounted a painful memory when someone once told him to “be less human.” As someone who has always led with heart and vulnerability, this remark cut deep. "Knowing someone wanted me to be less of myself was extremely hard to hear.”

But through it all, Nick has stayed true to who he is. He believes his stutter has made him more empathetic, open-minded, and willing to connect more deeply.

Nick Korkos - Quinn Wharton for SF Danceworks

“Being Alive” Through Dance

When asked to choose a song or dance piece that best represents his journey, Nick picked “Being Alive” by Stephen Sondheim. He even crowdfunded and produced a short dance film to the song. In the performance, Nick embodies the character Bobby from Company, using dance to explore vulnerability, loneliness, and hope.

As the song crescendos with the line, “I’ll always be there / As frightened as you / To help us survive / Being alive,” Nick’s expressive movement becomes a powerful reminder of what it means to live boldly with a stutter.

A Message to His Younger Self

If Nick could speak to his younger self—the little boy unsure of his voice—he’d offer this advice:

“Do not let it hold you back. Be proud of who you are and talk about it. Acknowledge your speech and try not to shy away from being different.”

It’s a message many of us need to hear that captures the spirit of the NSA community: a place where people who stutter can feel seen, heard, and fully themselves.

Watch Nick's Performances: