SOFIE BERTOLINI

Principal
Ballet
San Antonio

Hometown:
Austin, Texas

Joined BSA:
2014

Promotions:
Promoted to Principal in 2023
Promoted First Soloist in 2019
Promoted to Soloist in 2018

Since joining Ballet San Antonio in 2014, Sofie Bertolini has enjoyed an incredibly diverse range of roles. Some of her favorites include Juliet in Edward Liang’s Romeo and Juliet, Carmen and Giselle in their namesakes, and Lucy in Dracula. She has also had the pleasure of performing featured roles in George Balanchine’s Rubies, Ben Stevenson’s Swan Lake, Bruce Wells’ Beauty and the Beast, and Dominic Walsh’s The Whistling.

Hailing from Austin, TX, Bertolini began her training at age four at Austin Dance Academy under Arletta Howard-Logan and later Ballet Austin under Bill Piner and Lynne Short, with additional training at Boston Ballet and Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre. After becoming a Trainee with Ballet Austin under Michelle Martin and Stephen Mills in 2009, Bertolini’s professional career continued with smaller workshop-oriented companies also based in Austin, TX, where she was able to explore her interest in choreography as well as performing featured roles in both classical and non-classical works. 

Rivard Report’s Tami Kegley writes, “Special kudos go to Sofie Bertolini for her sass and vinegar. She not only performed [The Whistling] immaculately, she brought it alive with toughness and humor that was sublime.”

GET TO KNOW SOFIE

When did you start dancing, and why?
Like so many little girls, I decided at three years old I wanted to be a ballerina, and after begging for a full year my parents finally gave in – the rest is history.

What inspires you to be a professional dancer?
My fellow dancers and peers have always inspired me. I soak in everything, from a young age watching the older students in my youth company to fellow company members’ rehearsals now – and, of course, there are endless videos of the greats at our disposal as well. Personally, I love the exploration and experimentation of learning a new role, whether in character development or pushing musicality and movement. 

Why did you choose Ballet San Antonio?
This is such an incredible group of people and organization, and I’ve had such amazing opportunities afforded to me. I’m so grateful for my time here.