Breaking Stereotype Surrounding Bharatnatyam, Winning Hearts Everywhere!- Sophia Salingaros

Sophia Salingaros is born in Texas. With a Belgian mother and a Greek father, her dance style is multi-cultural. Her affection for dance began early. She started learning Ballet as a small child at the age of five, later training in Bharatnatyam once she was a little older at the age of nine. She’s intelligent and has completed her pre-medical studies. Her mother is a doctor and Sophia says if not dance, she would love to pursue a similar career. Although she works, she hasn’t given up on dancing, practicing for an hour five days a week, hence she’s hard-working alongside persevering.

She’s an explorer who’s been across the globe, performing at Hyderabad, Mysore, Delhi in India. Kuwait, Dubai, London, Portugal, Paris, Internationally. Her most memorable experience was in Kuwait, she felt scared to travel, but was ecstatic when she felt connected to the other dancers through their love for dance despite their differences.

Her social media presence is highly impressive, allowing her to meet and acquaint with various dancers as well as organisers from different Countries. She receives messages from young girls who are inspired watching Sophia. To hate comments, Sophia remarks focusing on the positives.

Her style is classical, through Bharatnatyam. Back at her hometown, there are four dance schools of the same. Each city in the United States of America has training. It’s introduced to mainstream dance forms and has gradually become prominent.She is a disciple of Guru Dr. Sreedhara Akkihebbalu.

The Indian audience are warm and accepting towards her. It’s intimidating because they know the songs as well as dance style. When Sophia’s appreciated, she’s overwhelmed as well as rewarded. They’re thrilled she’s not only dedicated, but also taken a keen interest to their ways. She’s impressed with how the Country lives alongside breathes dance.

Her suggestion to those who want to make dance full-term is it requires a big sacrifice and it’s an uncertain pathway. During the pandemic, her generous advice is don’t give up hope. Set long-term goals. Keep practicing and stay motivated.

Dance is like breathing to Sophia, to engage with it, she’s commenced classes at home, during this pandemic. Although, it would be better to coach in person, she’s thrilled to watch kids be encouraged.

She believes her gift is unique and desires to inspire the world. She aspires to grown in Bharatnatyam. She says there’s a misconception around movement involved in the dance, the ‘restriction’ exists in your mind. There’s beauty complexity, honesty in Bharatnatyam, hence the right audience will arrive.