Sophie O'Donnell
Senior Faculty Member
Dance Teacher & Creative Educator
RAD.RTS, L.I.S.T.D,
Dip.Dance, Dip.Elite Dance Performance,
Cert IV TAE
Adv2 Imperial Classical Ballet, Adv2 Modern Theatre,
Progressing Ballet Technique,
Garuda Pilates Qualified Instructor,
Keep Kids Safe in Dance Certified
Sophie moved from the UK to Melbourne in 2011 where her passion for dance took an unexpected turn towards ballet. Ever since she has focused her energy and study to improving her knowledge and skillset towards Classical and its technique. She has been entering students for Imperial Classical and Modern Theatre exams since 2012 and in 2019 began her own business; The Western Ballet Project, supplementary ballet workshops and productions.
Sophie worked professionally as a dancer with Costa Cruise Liners (2008-2011), is a qualified Licentiate in Imperial Classical with the I.S.T.D, has a Diploma (Adv.2) Imperial Classical I.S.T.D and Modern Theatre, and a Diploma in Dance Education and Elite Dance performance (2008 UK). She is also a Garuda Barre Pilates Instructor, is a qualified Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT) teacher and in 2020 commenced a 16-week online program with Heal Yourself and Move (Zac Jones).
Sophie has worked at several dance schools in Melbourne including Trilogy Dance Company, teaching solos and competition work in Lyrical and Contemporary genres, Dancemax Studios where she was the head of Classical Ballet and Technical Development for 10 years as well as teaching ISTD Modern Theatre, Contemporary, Classical Technique and PBT, and Attitudes (Tania Attard-O’Dwyer), where she worked with students from RAD Grade 1 to Intermediate.
In addition to her time spent here at The Academy and on her own business, she teaches mat and reformer pilates in Ballan and Trentham as well as running around after her 2 sons, Thomas and Freddie.