Sophia Snider | Season in Review
One of our Ballet 5:8 traditions at the end of each performance season is to ask the artists of the company to share some reflections with us. A special thank you to the artists of the company for sharing about their experiences in the 2021/22 Season.
Sophia Snider (green leotard) in rehearsal
Q. Pick one word to describe the 2021/22 Season. Why?
A. New. The 21/22 Season was my first with Ballet 5:8's professional company! Every experience performing and touring was filled with freshness and adventure. I am learning and growing as an artist, and as I look back, I realize that for the duration of this season, God was reminding me that in HIM, I am made new too.
Q. Can you share a favorite moment from on- or off-stage?
A. There were so many beautiful moments to choose from! After our first full in-studio run of 10Fold, the entire company crowded into a group hug at the end of Todo Raba (the final ballet in the bill). One of the dancers (a dear friend of mine) asked Mrs. Julianna if we could take a moment to sing and worship together in the studio. We did, and we lifted each ballet up to our Heavenly Father while singing the words "Praise God from whom all blessings flow." I remember feeling so overwhelmed with gratitude and humbled by God's grace. All of the hard work, intense rehearsals, and artistry came together in the form of beautiful stories that served as an offering to the One who sustains Ballet 5:8.
Q. You performed many works this season! Does one stand out as the most meaningful or most notable for you personally? Why?
A. Growing up, I always knew that I wanted to perform in Julianna Rubio Slager's The Mother. This season, I danced as one of the three children in this work! My heart breaks for the mothers who are in the same position as Gwendolyn Brooks (the poet who inspired this ballet), and I care deeply for all of God's children, the unborn included. Since I am so passionate about extending love to these women, I wanted to be a part of telling Brooks' story. Julianna Slager does an impeccable job presenting this topic through movement that hits you to your core, yet gives you space to process a concept that almost cannot be approached with words.
Q. What or who has inspired you this season?
A. My coworkers inspire me and keep me dreaming. The beauty that I get to witness at work is unparalleled.
On another note, I was also inspired by my students! Serving on the teaching staff for the first time opened my eyes to a ballet dancer's training years in a new way. When I teach Levels III and IV in the School of Ballet 5:8's Pre-Professional program, I am so inspired by the incredible work ethic and passion that these young, aspiring dancers have. Their thirst to learn is contagious, and I am beyond excited when the class has a "break-through" moment. They remind me what joyful dancing looks like. Their movement has a certain celebration and eagerness that I want to bring to the art form too.
Q. What are you looking forward to next season?
A. Julianna Rubio Slager is creating a new full-length work next season, and I could not be more excited! One of my favorite parts about my job is that I get to be involved in the process of creating story ballets. I am on the edge of my seat in joyful anticipation of the birth of BareFace. I will be reading C.S. Lewis' book and doing research in preparation for this new piece of repertoire during the entirety of my off-season!