We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sofia Grille a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Sofia, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
Becoming a professional dancer in Chile comes with its own set of challenges. Resources for the arts can be limited, and pursuing dance often means going against societal expectations of a “stable” career. Financial constraints and limited access to advanced training opportunities were obstacles I had to navigate early on.
Resilience became my most valuable skill. I had to create opportunities where they didn’t exist. I worked tirelessly to fund my training, often juggling multiple jobs to afford lessons, and travel expenses. When advanced training wasn’t accessible locally, I sought out opportunities abroad—saving every penny to attend workshops and masterclasses in other countries. Each journey expanded my perspective and deepened my understanding of dance as a global language.
I also leaned on my friends and community for support. We grew together, sharing resources, knowledge, and encouragement. Whether it was rehearsing late into the night or pooling funds for travel, their belief in me was a constant source of strength. This collective effort not only helped me grow as an individual artist but also reinforced the importance of lifting each other up in a field where success can sometimes feel solitary.
Moving beyond Chile’s borders and embracing international opportunities was a bold step that required both courage and adaptability. Each challenge taught me to trust my instincts, take risks, and stay focused on my vision, no matter how unconventional the path might seem.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am Sofía Grille, a professional dancer from Chile. Growing up in Santiago, I discovered a passion for movement and storytelling that led me to pursue dance as my career and life form. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of performing in various productions and events, including Crush Power Music and Teletón, where I collaborated with renowned artists such as Luis Fonsi, Brytiago, and De La Ghetto. I’ve also performed at Lollapalooza, dancing alongside talents like Justin Quiles, Dalex, and Soulfia, and served as a principal dancer and associate choreographer for over three years.
Additionally, I’ve participated in the prestigious Festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar in 2017, 2018, and 2019, a cornerstone event in Latin American music. One of the highlights of my career was opening Francisca Valenzuela’s show at the Pan American Games in Lima in 2019. Most recently, I had the honor of leading performances during the Pan American and Parapan American Games held in Chile in 2023 with Núcleo, a dance company co-funded by me and my sister, dedicated to elevating urban dance in Chile and providing opportunities for dancers to grow professionally. This initiative has allowed over 50 dancers to gain visibility and perform on national stages. Additionally, as a woman on the dance and teaching industry, I work to empower women and girls through movement and create a supportive community within dance as a profession.
Teaching has been an important part of my journey, allowing me to share my knowledge with aspiring dancers in Chile and abroad. I’ve had the privilege of teaching at international conventions and events in countries like Peru, Argentina, and Mexico. My work is deeply rooted in passion and a commitment to using dance as a tool for connection and empowerment. I look forward to continuing to explore new creative horizons and contributing to the growth of dance as an art form.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I believe resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to continuous learning were the most impactful qualities in my journey. Dance is a challenging field, especially in places where resources and opportunities are limited, and resilience allowed me to face setbacks with determination, turning obstacles into opportunities. Adaptability was equally vital, as I often had to step out of my comfort zone—whether by learning new styles, working in different cultural contexts, or taking on unexpected roles. My commitment to continuous learning kept me striving for improvement, seeking knowledge, and embracing growth at every stage. For those early in their journey, my advice is to embrace challenges as opportunities to grow, stay open to change, and never stop investing in your development as both an artist and an individual.
Is there a particular challenge you are currently facing?
The number one challenge I am currently facing is staying motivated and continuing to challenge myself in a moment where I feel somewhat stuck in my career. It’s as though I’ve reached a limit or plateau in my field within my country, and that feeling can be difficult to navigate. My biggest focus right now is finding ways to reignite my passion for dance while continuing to teach and share with my community. I’m deeply committed to supporting and inspiring others, but it’s also essential that I don’t lose myself in the process. To overcome this, I’ve been focusing on exploring new opportunities, pushing my creative boundaries, and setting personal goals to become the best version of myself. It’s about maintaining a balance between giving back and continuing to grow
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sofiagrille/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLPtjAL4dys
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