37 Magazine
There’s a moment in every dancer’s life where the body seems to defy gravity—where balance, breath, and emotion fuse into something more than movement. For Sophie Spurn, that moment isn’t confined to a stage or a single performance; it’s the thread that weaves through her entire artistic journey. From her early days training in Calgary to bold explorations on international stages and aerial platforms, Sophie has built a career that is less about chasing perfection and more about discovering freedom in the in-between spaces.
Now based in Vancouver, Sophie embodies an artist suspended—not stuck, but continually in motion—exploring what it means to carve out individuality in a form built on discipline, repetition, and reinvention. Her story is one of persistence, transformation, and the quiet power of vulnerability in a world that often only sees the spotlight.
I have always had a hunger and drive towards dance. There was never a question about me dancing; there was never another path for me than to dance. Growing up I didn’t really know what it meant to be a professional dancer, but I knew I needed to be one.
Can you share your earliest memories of dance and what drew you to it?
Funnily enough, growing up I had stage fright my first few years of dancing. I was always eager to be in class and rehearse for shows, but when it came to stepping on stage I just couldn’t get myself to. Anxiety to perform was something I carried with me for a long time; though I was able to get myself out on stage, I felt a large amount of stress and anxiety surrounding performing, specifically competing in my later years of school.
I think what drew me to dance was that I was a shy kid growing up and dance felt like a safe space for me to communicate without talking. Dancing just made sense to me, it felt like an expression of myself that came so naturally to me.
Growing up in Calgary, how did your environment influence your passion for movement?
Going into high school I transitioned to a sports school which allowed me to prioritize my training, specifically my technical training. In my high school years I trained deeply in ballet which gave me a real base for all other styles. As I get deeper into being a versatile dancer, I am more and more grateful to have grown up with technique and with the discipline I had. Without ballet, I would not be able to hold my centre and use my length to its extent in all styles. Each style brings out a different form of fulfilment and passion in me which has shaped the mover I have become. The freedom to explore diverse movement styles has allowed me to shape a quality that feels uniquely mine — one influenced by every form and practice I’ve stepped into.
What challenges did you face transitioning from training to the professional dance world?
I remember when I began my time at The CLI Conservatory fresh out of high school I was like a sponge. I felt like I was gaining so much knowledge in so many avenues of my life. It was my first year living away from home and being exposed to the industry in the US. That first year away from home was an eye-opener — a reminder that dance is about so much more than talent or love for the art. It was a deeply vulnerable experience, one that required me to surrender and open myself fully in order to begin discovering who I was within the career I was stepping into.
The program taught me so much physically, but it also taught me so much from a mental stand point about what it means to be a professional. From leaving an intensive training program into my first big dance job performing for Royal Caribbean, the transition felt smooth because I knew I earned it. I knew my hard work and talents were meant to be in the professional world at that point and I was so eager to succeed.
How has your identity evolved throughout your journey as an artist?
Dance has been a consistent in my life from a young age; it has been a big part of shaping many of my values and what gives me a sense of self. Dance has seen me in so many forms of myself, and has always been a consistent source of joy through it all. As I continue to find myself as an artist and explore what I want to share through movement. I recognize how much dance has pushed me — not only as an individual, but also in shaping my identity beyond who I am as a dancer.
My identity in dance will be ever changing. I’ve started to feel a real sense of mental freedom as I’ve opened myself up to discovering what truly brings me to life as an artist and what I deeply connect with. Learning to focus less on other peoples opinions has really allowed me to come alive artistically and feel less stress to share my work.
How has your confidence evolved?
I will say my confidence has grown a lot since pursuing dance professionally. As I’ve grown into my artistic identity, I feel far less imposter syndrome and question myself much less than I used to. It’s incredibly freeing to realize that while there’s always room to learn and grow, I already have so much to offer — and I’m deserving of success exactly as I am now.
How did you navigate choosing a path with so many styles pulling at you?
I have always known that I have a love for just about every style. So when it came to plans following high school, I definitely had a hard time deciding what suited me. I considered pursuing concert dance through American universities very seriously because I have always had a special place in my heart for contemporary, but ultimately didn’t feel that I was at a place in my life to give up the pursuit of my other styles. I knew I needed to go somewhere that would push me in all styles so I could distinguish what I feel most drawn to. However, I honestly still feel such an openness to all avenues of dance careers, I would never want to close the door on concert dance because I have such a love and respect for that industry.
You’re proficient in a diverse range of dance styles, from ballet to hip-hop. How do you blend these styles to create your unique artistic expression?
I connect to each in a different way and each challenge me in different ways. I feel my love for dance most when I get deep in the music and lost in the movement. It is such a beautiful experience to feel music and have it translate into your body and soul. Being a more technically based dancer growing up, it can be hard to step into foundation-based street style classes and not feel a sense of imposter syndrome. I have really learnt that my technique is my superpower. I have the movement quality I do because of the range of styles I have been trained in. I love to mesh my styles and training together and share what I can offer no matter the style. Most of my most natural movement quality would be best categorized into contemporary, but as I have matured and found myself as an artist, I feel that I naturally bleed my styles together. I definitely have a flow that guides my choices in choreography which has allowed me to market myself as an individual that can offer something unique. I will say though, there is a time and place for individuality and it is just as valuable to be able to be a clean and smart dancer, which is something I am continuing to learn a balance between.
For aspiring dancers looking up to your journey, what advice would you offer about carving out a unique path in the dance industry?
Keep discovering yourself through dance, and remain open to evolving as an artist above all. Pursuing dance as a career can feel so cut throat and you can so easily forget why you chose this career; staying consistent in who you are as an artist and reminding yourself of the “why” will always ground you. Deepen your relationship with dance for the art it is and what it provides your soul rather than creating a “brand” of yourself or image to showcase to others. I truly believe nourishing your inner artist opens you up to genuine connections in the industry that will last.
It takes grit, and a lot of it. Hard work and dedication will always show through. A dedication to being present in a room, to pushing yourself to grow and evolve, and to stay rooted in your growth inside as an artist. Time and patience to know your hard work will pay off and show through.
How do you stay true to yourself as an artist in an industry that often feels performative?
I’ve been challenging myself to create art solely for myself. I once heard someone say, ‘Create art for yourself that others have the privilege of seeing,’ and that really resonates with me. The dance industry can often feel performative, so I regularly remind myself that art is subjective and can be interpreted in countless ways. I especially enjoy creating work that is open-ended — pieces that evoke feelings people can’t quite pinpoint or tie to a specific theme or storyline.
What kind of art do you strive to create? How do you balance your personal artistic vision with how audiences might interpret your work?
Though I feel dance is a beautiful way to share and speak without using words, I also really have enjoyed playing with the idea of creating work without a specific message — simply sharing movement for its own sake. Sometimes, art can feel like it’s about proving yourself to others or crafting an image, which to me makes the work feel less genuine. Creativity naturally ebbs and flows, and though I hope to one day create pieces that convey a message or share personal experiences, right now I feel drawn to create more freely, without overcomplicating or overthinking it.
What does your creative process look like?
Each project I have worked on has come with its own process which has allowed me to learn a lot about myself and how my art best comes to life. Music is always a huge part of that process and usually comes first. I listen closely to the tone and emotions the song evokes in me, using that to shape the visual mood and the movement style that feels right for the project. Once I have a general sense of my direction, I research the song and its songwriter to better understand the artist’s intentions. I often select specific words or phrases from the artist’s commentary to help create a clearer image in my mind as I begin choreographing. From there, I like to work spontaneously, letting the project evolve naturally before moving on to filming or presenting the final piece.
As Sophie speaks about her process, there’s a sense that her artistry is less about chasing outcomes and more about trusting the journey—about letting music, instinct, and curiosity guide her. In a world that often demands answers, her commitment to creating without overthinking feels like its own quiet rebellion. For Sophie, being “suspended in motion” isn’t just a striking image onstage—it’s a way of approaching dance, and perhaps life itself: not rushing toward resolution, but embracing the beauty of movement in between.
