Sophia Riddell, as a 14-year-old ballet student, attended the Russian Choreographic Academy (RCA) before travelling to Europe and earning a coveted spot at the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow.
The Early Years of Training
Sophia had a great capacity to work hard. RCA provided her with a strong foundation in the Vaganova method, a system that has produced some of the greatest ballet dancers in history. Sophia embraced this training wholeheartedly and made enormous improvement working with the Russian teachers at RCA.
Sophia Riddell
Photographer: Alina Khanko
Recognition and International Opportunities
Sophia’s talent was soon acknowledged on a larger scale. In 2018, she was named a “Grishko Future Star,” a prestigious title awarded to young dancers with exceptional potential. This recognition was an affirmation of the hard work she had put into her training with the RCA and a glimpse of the opportunities that lay ahead.
Her skills earned her places in elite summer intensives, including those held by the Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Melbourne and Florence. She also excelled in competitions, becoming a finalist at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong and securing top placements at regional events in Sydney. Watching her succeed on these platforms was a proud moment for our academy, as it reinforced the level of excellence we strive to cultivate in all our students.
Reaching New Heights
When the world was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Sophia, like many dancers, faced the challenge of adapting to virtual training and continued her training with the RCA via Zoom classes every day. During this time, her determination never wavered. Towards the end of the pandemic, as soon as Sophia’s family were permitted to travel, they travelled to Amsterdam where she took part in online classes with Russian Masters Ballet. It is certainly worth mentioning that Sophia’s parents were absolutely marvellous in helping her to pursue her dream and to give her every opportunity to do so.
Her unwavering commitment paid off when she was accepted into the prestigious Bolshoi Ballet Academy in Moscow. This was a moment of great pride for our academy, as we knew the Bolshoi would provide her with the perfect environment to develop into a world-class artist. Training at such a historic institution is both an honour and a challenge, and Sophia has risen to every expectation placed upon her.
A Reflection of Our Mission
At the Russian Choreographic Academy, we measure our success not just by the achievements of our students, but by the dedication they carry forward in their careers. Sophia Riddell’s journey from our studios to the Bolshoi Ballet Academy is a testament to the rigorous training, discipline, and love for ballet that we instill in every dancer.
At the Russian Choreographic Academy, we are committed to fostering young talent, shaping dedicated dancers who carry the tradition of classical ballet into the future. Among the many promising students who have walked through our doors, Sophia Riddell stands out as a shining example of what can be achieved through discipline, passion, and perseverance.
Her story is an inspiration to young dancers everywhere, showing that with the right guidance, hard work, and an unrelenting passion for ballet, the dream of dancing on the world’s greatest stages is within reach.
As Sophia continues her studies in Moscow, we remain incredibly proud of her and look forward to the remarkable career that undoubtedly lies ahead.