sophia yocum

@sophia.yocum

"I always go into dance class with a positive attitude and an open mind ..." 
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​When it comes to dance training, Sophia can’t get enough. Her dedication to her training comes with social sacrifice, but it’s a price that she is more than willing to pay.

​Her biggest reward is found within herself, her movement and her improvement. Recently, Sophia received a partial scholarship from the Open Door Studios Foundation at a Forge Summer Dance Intensive at Slippery Rock University. She was one of three dancers chosen for the scholarship. 

Sophia quietly applies and sends in audition tapes and essays to various opportunities to extend her training. She knows her mom is a single parent who is somewhat limited when it comes to extra dance outside of her regular classes at Hershey School of Dance. 

“Over the last year I have gained a lot of confidence in myself that I didn't have before in dance. Having that confidence has really helped me to achieve more as a dancer overall,” she explains.

Sophia’s love of dance only continues to grow, and it even extends to her younger sister. Now, Sophia hopes to major in dance in college. She knows that the world is wide, but that the world of dance can be narrow. Because of this, she finds importance in making connections, not only with an audience, but with other dancers.

“Through dance I have been able to meet people from many different places all over the United States,” Sophia said. “I have made lifelong friends and without dance I would not have been able to connect with any of these people.”