Dancer Spotlight: Sophie: 2019 “Arabian”

I’m Sophie and I am thrilled to be cast as the Arabian lead in this year’s production of the Nutcracker. This has been my dream part since I was a little girl. I’ve been dancing since I was four, and I can still remember the feelings I had when I first started performing. I felt exhilarated, alive, and like I never wanted to leave the stage.

My passion for dance has grown throughout the years and is at the point now where I could never imagine giving it up. Going to the studio to dance with my teammates and to be guided by my teachers has been a safe haven for me. If I was having a bad day, I knew I had dance to look forward to. If I was going through a tough time, it was my escape. And I always knew that when I danced, I was free to express my feelings, whether they be feelings of joy or sadness, worry, or celebration.

My closest friends, those who have my complete trust, are my fellow dancers. We have a special bond that I cherish. I think that the hard work we have put into dance over the last several years has helped to make us closer, because we have had to rely on each other and encourage each other on a daily basis.

I have also enjoyed working with younger kids and seeing them have the same opportunity to reap these benefits by being a dancer. Nutcracker is a special time of year when families come together to celebrate the holidays and enjoy seeing the children in the community come together to perform. I am grateful I have been one of these children and when I graduate in a couple of years, I will be taking so many memories and experiences with me that have shaped me as a dancer and a person.