Sophia Donza grew up in Butler, NJ, where she has trained since the age of 2. She was accepted into the Morris County School of Technology (MCST) as a dance major for the Academy of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA). She trains in modern, ballet, and jazz by Lisa Peluso, along with Christian Von Howard, Donna Scro, Alex Biegelson, Tammy Klinck, and Nicole Corea. She has co-choreographed pieces titled “Affliction” and “Temps de Renaissance” that were showcased in both Backstage is Onstage and May Dance concerts at the Dragonetti Theater at the County College of Morris. Sophia also has experience in dance film taught by Kathleen Kelley. Outside of the academy, Sophia began her dance training at Performing Arts Academy, where she started competing at the age of four. Sophia is currently training at The Dance Academy of North Jersey where she studies multiple genres including ballet and musical theater with Jennifer Savelli, modern and ballet with Jaclyn Walsh, ballet and contemporary with Terk Lewis Waters, Lyrical with Daniel Vaniska, and jazz with Jason Luks. She has also worked with guest artists such as Mia DiLena, Angelica Stiskin, and Billy Griffin. To further her dance education Sophia has attended multiple dance intensive programs such as Léon Dance Arts, Generation IV, Pushing Progress, New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble and Complexions Contemporary Ballet Summer Intensive. In 2019, Sophia was invited to perform at the Chita Rivera Awards in NYC, and participated in Glimmer of Hope, a pediatric brain tumor awareness benefit showcase. In addition, Sophia held the chair of Vice President of The National Honors Society of Dance (NHSDA), as well as an appointed Student Ambassador of VPA for MCST. Sophia’s goals for the future are to go to college and receive a four year degree.