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Member Spotlight: Q&A with Sophie Joachim | Director, SJ Dance Productions

How would you describe SJ Dance Productions in a sentence?

SJ Dance Productions is an inclusive dance company where children and adults come together to explore the art of self-expression through movement.

What was the artistic path that led you to building the company?

My artistic journey began with a deep love for dance — a passion that led me to professional training in both Paris and London. I spent four years immersed in technique and performance, learning from some of the best. I’m grateful for those experiences, but I also came to see the pressures and competitiveness that too often strip away something essential: the joy of movement, the freedom of creativity, and the sense of belonging.

Like many dancers, I began to lose the spark that first drew me to dance. It became more about perfection than expression — more about fitting in than standing out. That experience stayed with me and eventually became my inspiration.

What inspires the work the company creates?

I founded SJ Dance Productions to create the kind of space I wish I’d had — one where dancers of all ages and abilities are truly welcomed, supported, and celebrated. A place where excellent technique is developed through trust, connection, and passion — not fear or comparison. At our core, we are a family. We lift each other up, learn from one another, and grow together — not just as dancers, but as human beings.

Dance is a powerful language, and everyone deserves the chance to speak it in their own voice. That belief is at the heart of everything we do.

Above all, the dancers themselves inspire our work. Their individuality, courage, and willingness to be vulnerable drive every piece we create. Watching them evolve — not just in skill, but in confidence, expression, and compassion — keeps me motivated every day. Each dancer brings something unique: a story, a perspective, an energy. That diversity shapes the heart of our choreography and creative process.

We also draw inspiration from the world around us — especially the social issues that impact our communities and the quiet human struggles that often go unseen. We aim to create work that goes beyond entertainment. Whether exploring identity, mental health, equality, or resilience, our goal is to move people — emotionally and mentally — and spark reflection and conversation.

At its core, our work is about connection: between dancers, between performers and audiences, and between art and the world it reflects. We’re not just telling stories through movement — we’re inviting others to see themselves in those stories and to feel something meaningful.

Ultimately, we want our work to remind people that dance has the power to heal, to challenge, and to unite — and that there’s space for everyone in that process.

How would you describe dance’s impact on your life?

Dance is my lifeline. It’s the way I breathe, the way I process the world, and the constant force that brings me back to myself.

What three core values drive your engagement with dance?

Expression, inclusivity, and connection are the pillars of everything we do. Expression lives at the heart of my work — dance has always been how I make sense of life, how I speak when words fall short. Inclusivity drives my mission to build a space where dancers of all backgrounds, abilities, and ages feel safe, seen, and celebrated. After experiencing the rigidity of professional training, I know how important it is to preserve joy and individuality in dance. Connection is the thread that ties it all together — between dancers, with audiences, and with the themes we explore through movement. My dancers remind me every day that dance is about people first. Together, we reflect, challenge, and connect through our art.

Any upcoming projects or news you can share with us?

This Christmas, we will be presenting Alice in Wonderland: The Ballet. The performance will take place on December 14th at the Kay Meek Theatre in West Vancouver. It promises to be a magical and moving experience for the whole family.

What would you say are the most significant benefits for you in being a Dance Centre member?

The greatest gift of being a Dance Centre member is the deep sense of belonging—it truly feels like being part of a family. The morning after I adopted my son, he was already at the Dance Centre, watching me dance. Just 48 hours after giving birth to my second child, I returned—newborn in tow—to continue preparing for my company’s upcoming show. Both of my boys stayed by my side until I felt ready to be apart from them, and throughout it all, the Dance Centre welcomed us with unwavering warmth and love, day after day.

Sophie’s Member Profile
SJ Production’s Instagram

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Photos: Scott Hemenway