We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sophia Oddi a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Sophia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

In the summer of 2023, I had the privilege of participating in the WOODWORKS Traverse City Residency Program, led by choreographer and producer Madison Falconer. Taking part as a choreographer, I collaborated with composer Daniel Mangiaracino and dancers Charizma Lawrence and Zay to create a 15-minute performance to be showcased at the City Opera House.
Over two transformative weeks, 11 artists lived, cooked, journaled, researched, and danced together. We discussed the underground networks of fungi that link trees, facilitating the exchange of information and nutrients. This concept of mycorrhizal fungi became our guiding metaphor.
I discovered that a community that actively communicates, invests time and energy in one another, and strives for collective growth fosters more meaningful individual growth. This experience profoundly transformed my creative process, highlighting the importance of the people involved, the care we can choose to cultivate within these environments, and the research, as opposed to the final product, as the impetus. The dance studio can serve as a microcosm of the world we aspire to create.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am a freelance dancer and choreographer based in Los Angeles, with experience in both stage and screen. I have had the privilege of participating in music videos, animated and short films, concert dance theater, and opera. In addition to my performance and choreographic work, I also regularly teach dance and choreograph for schools and studios.
Growing up as the daughter of two professional dancers, I was immersed in the world of dance from an early age. My mother’s dance studio, Danse Plus, in Monte-Carlo, was my playground, and I regularly accompanied my father to his workshops and performances throughout Italy. For me, dance has always been a profound expression of love.
After moving to Los Angeles, I attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts (LACHSA) and then was a member of the inaugural USC Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. I owe much of my growth as an artist to the mentorship of my incredible teachers at both institutions, who dedicated their time, energy, and passion to their students and continue to open doors.
My choreographic work is deeply rooted in human touch and connection. I love weaving narrative and humor into my work, crafting stories that can make someone feel just a little more love, joy, curiosity, or even melancholy than when they came in. In a world where we have to wear our shields to survive and not be affected by every little encounter, I find art to be the perfect antidote.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

The Dance Resource Center is a wonderful organization that provides valuable updates on funding and grant opportunities, auditions, educational resources, and discounts for dance performances in Los Angeles. They host the HOMEGROWN Residency Program, which offers free studio space in collaboration with local L.A. studios, supporting artists at every stage of their career.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

My passion for the creative process is fueled by the conversations I share with my collaborators. In exploring our values, sense of humor, communication styles, and the ideas we find noteworthy, we get to delve into philosophy, art, psychology, history, and beyond. The arts create a uniquely beautiful incubator for the exchange of different perspectives and approaches to life. I find this to be the ultimate gift; to be in community and to continuously attempt to understand the realities of those around us.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sophiaoddi.com
• Instagram: @sophiaoddi

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Camryn Eakes and Jack Creasy
Dancers: Bella Allen, Carly Johnson, Anne Kim,