Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Meet the Dancers: Katie Sopoci Drake

Katie Sopoci Drake is a Washington D.C. based professional dancer, choreographer and teacher specializing in Laban-based contemporary dance.  

She has been on faculty at UW-Milwaukee, Nova Southeastern University, Miami Dade College, Wolfson and Kendall Campuses, Carthage College, and Lawrence University. 

As a performer, Sopoci is described as a "sinuous, animal presence of great power; watching her dance is a visceral experience." (Third Coast Digest, 6/12).  Company credits include Mordine and Company Dance Theater of Chicago (2012-2013), Momentum Dance Company of Miami (2009-2012), Wild Space Dance Company of Milwaukee (2005-2009), and Rosy Simas Danse of Minneapolis (2001-2005).  Katie has also made appearances an an independent artist with many companies including Brazz Dance, Your Mother Dances, The Florentine Opera, and The Minnesota Opera.  

Katie's choreography, described as "a beautiful marriage between choreography, music and poetry" (On Milwaukee, 12/06) and "sinuous, sensual beauty" (Journal Sentinel, 11/07) arises from her explorations in Laban Movement Analysis, her fascination with the idiosyncrasies of daily life, and the flights of fancy that arise from ordinary inspirations.  Her work has been performed by Momentum Dance Company, Wild Space Dance Company, Your Mother Dances, The Florentine Opera, Lawrence University Opera, Carthage College, Miami Dade College - Kendall Campus, Miami Dade College - Wolfson Campus, and Broward College. Independent productions have been presented at The Southern Theater, Patrick’s Cabaret, Danceworks Performance Studio and The Milwaukee Art Museum.  

Holding an MFA in Dance from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a  Graduate Laban Certification in Movement Analysis from Columbia College - Chicago, and a BA in Theatre/Dance with a minor in Vocal Performance from Luther College, Sopoci continues to take classes in as many dance techniques as she can handle, her beloved capoeira and various somatic practices to inform her work and life as a curious mover.

Katie spends her free time exploring the local flora and fauna with her husband. They both adore bird-watching and are aspiring naturalists. Nothing in life is so simple that it cannot invoke myriad dreams.


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