Help Me Dance Beyond Borders

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Dear art lovers and friends of movement,

my name is Sofie Sochorcová and I'm 19 years old a contemporary dance student at the prestigious Codarts university in Rotterdam. Now, I'm the only student from the Czech Republic, and to be here means the world to me, it's a dream come true, but one that I'm working hard to make financially possible, so I'm reaching out for help to continue this journey.

Since I was a child, I've loved to move. Back then, nobody called it dance but whenever music played, my body would start moving on its own. And that feeling has stayed with me to this day.

I spent eight years studying classical ballet in Brno in Czechia. Even though classical ballet taught me self-discipline, hard work and structure, I felt a deep urge to explore a freer, more personal way of moving. I started to experiment with my own body, work on my own after school classes, improvising, looking for emotions hidden in the movement, without anyone telling me what was right or wrong. It wasn't easy, I faced prejudices, but my motivation only grew stronger. I knew this was my direction and that I needed to study abroad to grow professionally.

In July 2024, I was accepted into Codarts. From day one, I knew I was stepping into huge challenges: not just hard work, but also a new country, language, and rhythm of life. Over the last ten months, my view of dance and myself have changed so much that I'm still processing this transformation.

Despite all these challenges, alongside my studies, I've presented three choreographies, taken part in projects outside of school and in external collaborations that allow me to grow as an artist. The connections and experiences I've gained are something I never even dreamed of before.

I aspire to become a versatile dancer, to one day stand among a prestigious company of artists, and to help shape the shifting boundaries of what dance can be. Through my artistry, I wish to reach others and, in turn, uncover new truths within myself.

Dance is my language and my way of life. But it's also a physically and mentally demanding path that's impossible to walk alone. My biggest support is my amazing mother, who does everything she can for me. Unfortunately, the costs of tuition, housing, insurance, and daily living in the Netherlands are enormous and the two of us can no longer cover them by ourselves. Due to the demanding physical effort, I am currently able to make only a limited amount of money myself.

That's why I'm reaching out and setting up this fundraiser. With a humble heart, I ask for your contribution to support me in my next chapter at Codarts. Tuition fees for second year at Codarts is 2, 600 euros, which doesn’t include basic living expanses (housing, food, insurance).

Every donation, even the smallest one, means the world to me. Each contribution is not only financial support but also proof that it's worth following what we truly love.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Thank you for any kind of support.

From the bottom of my heart,

Sofie