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Sophie Lawson, ACC – CICB, ARAD: Professional Ballet Instructor at MPSD

Sophie Lawson, a Newfoundland native, brings her extensive ballet training and performance experience to Mount Pearl School of Dance, where she has been instructing since 2020.

Professional Training and Education

  • Graduate of Alberta Ballet School Post Graduate/Teacher Training Program
  • Associate teaching qualification from Cecchetti Canada
  • Graduate with Honors from Quinte Ballet School of Canada Professional Training Program
  • Ontario Scholar Award recipient
  • Trained under renowned mentors including Joyce Shietze, Edmund Stripe, and Murray Kilgour

Performance Highlights

  • Featured roles in Quinte Ballet School’s “Nutcracker”
  • Performer in U19 women’s world floorball championship opening ceremonies
  • Cast member in “The Ballet Conservatory” set by Henning Albrechtsen of the Royal Danish Ballet

Examination Achievements

  • Cecchetti examinations up to Advanced 1 (Honours)
  • ISTD Modern Exams
  • RAD ballet exams up to Advanced 2, completed in Newfoundland with Elisabeth Pardy

Professional Development

Participated in numerous summer intensive programs, including:

  • Royal Winnipeg Ballet School Professional Summer Intensive
  • Ballet Jörgen Summer Intensive
  • Quinte Ballet School Summer Intensives
  • Broadway Dance Center Summer Workshops

Teaching Experience

  • Instructor at Mount Pearl School of Dance (2020-present)
  • Former instructor at Alberta Ballet School’s Open and Professional Divisions

Dance Expertise

While proficient in various dance styles including Modern, Jazz, Tap, Lyrical, Pointe, Hip Hop, and Broadway, Sophie specializes in classical ballet, a passion she discovered at age 13 after training at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet School.

Teaching Philosophy

Sophie’s approach to instruction is rooted in her journey from student to professional trainee to teacher. She emphasizes not only technical excellence but also the cultivation of passion, dedication, and the joy of movement in her students.

At MPSD, Sophie continues to share her love for ballet, guiding students through their own dance journeys with expertise and enthusiasm.