Sophie Van Meerten is originally from Southern California. Her training includes Classical (Russian), Royal Academy (English), Balanchine (American), and Contemporary. Sophie graduated from Los Angeles Ballet

School, under the direction of Colleen Neary and Thordal-Christensen in 2016. Sophie then joined the professional track program at State Street Ballet in Santa Barbara, CA where she both performed and choreographed. Next she moved to sunny San Diego, CA, and began a trainee position with City Ballet where she danced in many company productions such as “Swan Lake”, “Serenade”, “Carmina Burana” world premiere by Jeff Gonzales, "The Nutcracker” and “Alice in Wonderland”. After three years in San Diego, Sophie accepted a company position with the United States International Ballet. This brought her all the way to Wilmington, NC in September of 2020. At USIB, she recently performed in a production of “The Little Mermaid”. Sophie has left USIB and is now teaching ballet, lyrical and contemporary full-time in North Carolina. She also stages variations, coaches for Youth America Grand Prix and judges for FLY dance competition.