BFA in Dance from Colorado State University

Office: MCD 203
Email: soph.cardinal@utah.edu

Soph Cardinal (they/them) is a queer and non-binary dancer, dance educator, and choreographer who has relocated to Salt Lake City from Los Angeles, CA, to pursue their MFA in Modern Dance from the University of Utah. Growing up, they trained and competed in hip-hop, contemporary, ballet, jazz, musical theatre, heels, and improvisation styles. In 2018, they graduated high school with their International Baccalaureate Degree and continued their studies in Dance at Colorado State University. 

At CSU, they elevated their modern, ballet, contemporary, and improvisational techniques while being a featured dancer in over 25 faculty and guest artist works, including a restaged piece of Across the Universe by Dwight Rhoden of Complexions Dance Company. They also used this time to refine their pedagogical and choreographic approach to movement.  Their choreographic interests focus on combining elements of street style movement with contemporary dance structure to curate pieces reflective of prevalent social justice issues.  Their screendance piece Blessed Be The Fruit was a finalist showcased at the 2021 Earl Mosley Diversity of Dance, Dance is Activism Film Festival. In 2021, they graduated Summa Cum Laude in 3.5 years with their Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Dance.

After graduation, they relocated to Los Angeles, California, to continue dancing and teaching professionally. While in LA, they worked with artists such as Derek Hough, Hayley Erbert, Dexter Da Rocha, Dwight Rhoden, Jessica Starr, James Barre, and Megan Grabau on music videos, film projects, and live performances. They have also been an avid teacher and choreographer in Colorado, Arizona, and California - winning national titles and choreographic excellence awards for their work.  As an educator, they strive for all artists they work with to have a safe space to explore movement in a way that validates all facets of their identities. Their classes study movement through its cultural and historical contexts to encourage students to develop their personal movement style through a lens of inclusivity.  During their MFA studies, they aim to continue their research on progressive pedagogies in higher education while teaching and setting work throughout Salt Lake City.