Sophia Stefanopoulos

Born: Port Chester, New York — 1998 / Living: New York City, NY

Interview by Speciwomen — April 2016

Speciwomen: Tell us about yourself.

Sophia Stefanopoulos: I was born in Port Chester, NY and was raised in rural Redding, Connecticut. I am a mix of Greek and Canadian. I am a senior at the Professional Children’s School and train at the Manhattan Youth Ballet. I commute to New York City everyday so I can fulfill my dream of becoming a dancer. I am seventeen years old.

S: How did you get into dance?

SS: One day, my babysitter, Bridget, saw me dancing in front of the TV, so she signed me up at my very first ballet class at the Ridgefield Conservatory of Dance. She was also a dancer, just in college, so she told my mom that she saw potential in me and that I should take some classes. So I guess if it were not for my silly, crazy four-year-old self, I would not be where I am now.

S: What dance do you do? 

SS: Ballet, Pointe, Partnering, Contemporary, Modern, Horton, Hip Hop, Graham, Jazz, Character, the list goes on. I love to learn as many forms of dance as I possibly can. As long as I’m dancing, regardless of what it is, I am happy.

S: Who inspires you? 

SS: I have the widest, wildest range of inspirations. From fashion, to hockey, to music, it is crazy. Off the top of my head, I would say the people I look up to the most are: Wendy Whelan, Deborah Wingert, Audrey Hepburn, Taylor Swift, Elton John, and Henrik Lundqvist. All very different people, but so incredibly inspiring.

S: How do you deal with nerves before a show?

SS: I usually walk up and down the crossover, from stage left to stage right, where no one sees me, and I have my alone time. Then I will do some small warm ups in my shoes to “get my feet cooking”, as my teacher Debbie would say. Once I feel warm, I mark my choreography in the back of the wings, hum the music, and constantly review it. Then, if I still have nerves, I say a little prayer, do my cross, and jump up and down to let my nerves go.

S: Tell me a short story about yourself. 

SS: In 2013, the Manhattan Youth Ballet chose me to be in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. With about 15 other kids, we were part of the SeaWorld float. It was such an amazing experience; I remember walking down those blocks vividly. And I remember waking up so early and putting on my outfit and wearing those glove warmers because it was absolutely freezing. I remember sitting on the bus with my friends and laughing and listening to music trying to get pumped since most of us were so tired from waking up so early. I then remember meeting all the cool people like Jimmy Fallon, Cher Lloyd, Richard Simmons, and so many more. Soon enough, the parade was starting! My friends and I walked down the blocks, did our princess wave, and soaked in everything that was happening on that incredible day. I remember the car ride home, wishing I could do it all again!

S: How is being a woman shaping your life?

SS: When I was little, my parents called me “Boubou” and I would always ask why. They finally told me one day that it was short for “Laskarina Bouboulina.” The warrior who was the naval commander and heroine of the Greek War of Independence. It gave me so much power. Since I was little, I had always been curious about how a woman could be a superhero. At the time, The Hulk was my favorite. Looking back on who she was, I think every girl is their own Bouboulina. It occurred to me that it is what you make of what you have that makes you a superhero. It is who you prove wrong and what doubts you overcome. Women have proven so many people wrong — it amazes me.  Being called “Boubou” also made me take a step back and realize what it means to be a woman. From makeup, to fashion, to the physical capabilities, to so much more, I realized that being a woman is the basis of who I am. It gives me strength but there’s a sense of gentleness and classiness that makes being a woman so amazing. I would not be surprised if Bouboulina had said the same thing.