Sophie Joachim on Dance, Business, and Motherhood

All photos in this article are credited to Jade Pearson.

In the world of dance, Sophie Joachim is making waves with her unparalleled skills and an undying passion and dedication. As the owner of a dance company, an artist, and a mother, Sophie opens up about the trials, tribulations, and inspirations that shape her journey.

Q: Sophie, can you walk us through your early experiences as a dancer?

Sophie: “I started dance at age 2. My mother took me to the local dance recital to gauge my interest in Jazz or Tap. But when I saw the ballerinas, I was absolutely mesmerized. At my first recital, while other tiny dancers cried out of fear, I cried because I didn't want to leave the stage. My mother quickly realized she had a problem; I was going to be obsessed with dance."

Q: Your passion led you to the UK. Tell us about your time there.

Sophie: “After high school, I auditioned for all the big dance and musical theatre schools in the UK. I ended up in Liverpool in a 4-year full-time musical theatre program. But the dance school environment was toxic, fostering unhealthy competition between students. By the end of the 4 years, my spirit was completely broken. I felt like I was the worst dancer ever and vowed never to dance again. Dancing just made me feel sick to my stomach. So, after graduation, I moved to London and shifted my focus to acting.”

Q: It's inspiring to see you find your way back to dance. How did that come about?

Sophie: “I moved to Vancouver in 2018 for my acting career. With more free time, I decided to apply to work reception at dance studios. But when I sent my CV, one studio thought I was applying to teach. Too embarrassed to correct them, I accepted to teach a class. My mother convinced me to try just one. The moment I stepped into that room and started teaching, I felt I was home. That 45-minute walk back to my apartment was filled with tears of joy; I had returned to where I belonged."

Q: Your transition from dancer to choreographer is fascinating. How did you build upon that?

Sophie: "Choreographing and teaching routines for a few years ignited a passion in me. I wasn't content with just teaching. I wanted to see my pieces performed in front of audiences. I realized I was always meant to create and tell stories through dance. My past training led me to this very moment. During the pandemic, I gathered the courage to start my own company. And by 2021, I had SJ Dance Productions up and running."

Q: What's the current status of SJ Dance Productions?

Sophie: “I had created a significant following from my time in the drop-in studios, so the company pretty much created itself! As soon as I opened my studio, it was overflowing with enthusiastic dancers, leading to waitlists. We've been growing ever since. The passion my dancers bring to the stories I create is deeply touching. It's a privilege to work with such incredible dancers. We truly are a family."

Q: With your busy schedule, how do you manage your roles as a mother and the head of a dance company?

Sophie: "Coffee!!!! Just joking but it does always help! It's not always easy, but I'm committed to giving my all to everything and everyone. My mornings are dedicated to my boys – we enjoy daily activities and then I maximize their nap times for admin work. I always aim to squeeze in a 30-minute nap for myself – it's essential for my energy in the evening classes. Between caring for the boys, teaching, choreographing, and managing my company, to be perfectly honest, it's exhausting! But the memories I'm making with my tiny humans make every exhausting moment worth it."

Q: Your dance company has produced a wide array of programs. Where do you find your inspiration for choreographing a new piece?

Sophie: "I have to be able to close my eyes and see it first. If I don’t see the movement, I don’t even bother trying! Creating full-length shows is challenging. I spend about 8 months on a show – half the time on my own, mapping out the story, and the rest working with my dancers. I draw inspiration from each dancer's unique movement style. Sometimes, translating what I envision into movement takes months. I aim to find new ways to tell stories. For instance, with 'The Nutcracker,' I recreated it to focus on Clara finding her dream version. For contemporary pieces, personal experiences play a big part. My 'Chandelier' piece initially stemmed from the cancellation of my wedding due to Covid, evolving into a portrayal of life’s frustrations."

Q: Your creative process as a choreographer must be unique. Can you delve into that?

Sophie: "It truly depends on the piece and style. One lesson I've learned is never to force it. Sometimes the emotion of a piece is clear, but translating it to movement can be challenging. After days of frustration, suddenly everything becomes clear. The movements flood in, and it all makes sense. But, when working on commissions, if I don't connect with the music choice, I'll invest time in studying it, finding my own story. There's always a way to make great art, given time."

Q: Owning a dance company is undoubtedly demanding. What challenges have you encountered and how do you tackle them?

Sophie: "You might expect me to mention finances or client interactions. However, the biggest challenge is letting go of what others think of you. As an artist and business owner, it's easy to dwell on criticism or fear of judgment. My journey has been about learning to release these worries, understanding that for every one unsatisfied individual, ten others are delighted. It's an ongoing battle, especially when I invest my heart and soul into ensuring my dancers are content. But every day is a lesson."

Q: With the dance industry's competitive nature, what vision do you hold for your company's future?

Sophie: "I aspire to elevate my work to a global scale. Directing films and Broadway stage shows is a dream, as I believe I have a unique storytelling vision that deserves a broader audience. Even though SJdanceproductions currently focuses on dance, I have big plans to venture into the film and theatre arena. My choice in naming the company was intentional, ensuring flexibility to explore various artistic avenues. The dancers I work with possess such distinct voices and incredible passion; I want the world to experience that magic. As for the 'how', I might not have all the answers now, but I'm confident I'm on the right trajectory."

Q: Motherhood and a thriving career – how has becoming a mother shaped your artistry and professional decisions?

Sophie: "Motherhood has been my most profound motivator. If not for my wonderful son Kevin, I might have continued working for others instead of founding my own company. My desire was to create something my children would be proud of, and to ensure financial stability for my family. The arts, often shrouded in misconceptions about money, need to be approached like any other profession. My years of training and education signify an investment. We, as artists, should never shy away from acknowledging our worth. On the artistic front, motherhood has allowed me to evolve. Without my company, I wouldn't have had opportunities to create, direct, and choreograph entire shows. I owe this growth to my boys."

Q: With society's often rigid views on motherhood, how would you advise mothers who feel the weight of "having to choose" between a career and family?

Sophie: "When we adopted Kevin, there were no pressing expectations on my end. His sudden arrival didn't give room for societal opinions. I've structured my company to be with my children during the day, working nights and weekends. This ensures they always have a parent around. But with the birth of Jonah, things shifted. Many insisted I take a complete break from work for around six weeks both before and after delivery. They laughed at my plan to incorporate him into my classes and breastfeed while teaching, branding it 'naive' and 'irresponsible'. I always countered, saying I'd listen to my body. True to my words, I taught till mere hours before going into labor and resumed only two days post-birth. While physically challenging, I navigated the path at my pace and it was a beautiful experience."

Q: Your influence on budding dancers is significant. What pearls of wisdom would you impart to those dreaming of a dance career?

Sophie: "My advice is direct: Work hard. Don't lose hope. Enroll in as many drop-in classes as possible to master choreography quickly. Attend every audition, even if it means flying out. And above all, BE KIND TO EVERYONE. Opportunities can come from unexpected quarters, so be the kind of person everyone wishes to collaborate with."

Q: In the whirlwind of career and family, how do you carve out moments for self-care and personal well-being?

Sophie: "To be honest, I don't actively seek separate 'me-time'. My solace is found with my sons. Being with them is my self-care."

Q: Beyond the graceful pirouettes and poised performances, what fuels Sophie Joachim's soul?

Sophie: "I'm ardently dedicated to child welfare, the foster system, and adoption. While some might not term it a 'hobby', for me, it certainly is one. I'm voraciously consuming every podcast, article, and visual content related to the topic. This passion does more than just satiate my curiosity – it becomes a wellspring for my artistry. The emotions that surge within me when I delve into stories of adoptees or children navigating the foster system often find their way into my choreography."

Q: The dance landscape is ever-changing. What are your thoughts on its trajectory and your role in this grand tapestry?

Sophie: "The evolution in dance has been meteoric, far surpassing what my generation visualized during our formative training years. Just a cursory scroll on TikTok reveals young maestros executing 10-15 turns with jaw-dropping ease. This is an epoch in dance history we've never seen before, and I'm all in for this exhilarating ride! Today's choreographers can dream limitlessly, confident that these young dancers can manifest their visions on stage. It's a thrilling era, and I'm on tenterhooks to see the magic the upcoming and subsequent generations will conjure."

Q: For those eagerly awaiting your next artistic venture, any sneak peeks?

Sophie: "While there are a few irons in the fire, what I'm particularly thrilled about is 'Beauty and the Beast the Ballet'. Make sure to mark your calendars for the 10th of December 2023!"

Sophie Joachim's narrative paints a vivid picture of a woman who dances to her rhythm, challenging societal norms and setting her stage. Her journey serves as an inspiration for all women — a testament that with determination and love, one can weave their dreams into reality.

All photos in this article are credited to Jade Pearson.