A talented dancer who lost her job due to Covid has used her life savings to open a studio in her hometown of Sunderland.
Sophie Sullivan, 30, was dancing in shows in the Caribbean and was saving up to go to LA as her career took off. But after the pandemic hit, Sophie's aspirations were ripped away as she lost her job and had to move back in with her parents.
During lockdown, Sophie fell into a depression as she felt like she had "lost her identity" and said dancing was the only thing to keep her going through difficult times. But to help others, Sophie opened her own dance studio with her savings on High Street West in Sunderland seven months ago.
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Dance Lab has already taken off in the short time it's been open and Sophie is about to hold her very first show on Friday at the nearby Pop Recs. Sophie said the studio is a safe space where anyone of any ability can come along and enjoy dancing lessons.
Explaining why she wanted to open the studio, Sophie said: "I've danced all my life and was dancing in shows abroad but because of lockdown, I had to go back home from the Caribbean. I was saving up to dance in LA but I came back and used that money to open a studio here.
"When I was doing the shows abroad, I was starting to take a step up in my career and it all just closed. I was in a real depression through lockdown because I didn't have a job and I had lost my identity. I had to move back in with my parents but it was all worth it in the end.
"When you're dancing you forget about everything that's going on. When I was going through difficult times, dancing was the only thing keeping me going and I wanted to open somewhere where people can just enjoy themselves."
The studio provides a variety of dance classes for people of all abilities as well as providing a creative space for professional dancers. Sophie has said she has seen the confidence in people skyrocket since attending the classes and said she wanted to provide an inclusive studio.
She said: "I wanted to create something for people of all shapes and sizes. It can be quite a harsh industry. When I was dancing, I was put on five diets while I was travelling around. But I wanted to create somewhere that was really inclusive with no stress and no pressure.
"When people first come you can see they're really shy and they don't speak much and are really nervous when they're dancing but everyone has really come out of their shell, it really helps build their confidence. Dancing is for everyone, as long as you have a body you can dance."
The studio's first show will be held on Friday and will feature a night of live entertainment including dancers, singers, and "specialty performers". Sophie said: "The studio has been open about seven months and it's been amazing. We're holding the first dance show in the North East because there was nothing like this anywhere else. I'm really excited but a bit nervous as well!
"We have 15 girls and one lad performing and it's just a total mix, we have professional dancers and non-dancers too who want to experience a dance show. We had our last rehearsal recently and everyone was supporting and cheering each other on, it was lovely."
The Night Show will be held at Pop Recs in Sunderland on April 22 at 8.30pm. If you would like to find out more about Dance Lab, you can do so here.
