Laura Dunlop Sowa was born in Elkhart, Indiana.  She started her ballet training at Southold Dance Theatre in South Bend, Indiana and continued High School through correspondence so she could commute to Chicago to train under Daniel Duell and Patricia Blair.  She was one of the founding members of the School of Ballet Chicago and the Ballet Chicago Studio Company. 

 

Laura's first professional experience was dancing as a company member for Ballet Chicago's final season in the ballet, Coppelia.   After graduating High School, Laura studied at Indiana University under Violette Verdy and majored in Ballet and Business.  She then danced professionally with Cincinnati Ballet, The Washington Ballet, San Diego Ballet, Los Angeles Ballet, and Company C Contemporary Ballet and also guested with Madison Ballet and Aspen Santa Fe Ballet.  Laura was also selected to participate in the New York International Ballet Competition in 2003. 

 

One of Laura's great passions besides dancing is teaching. She has taught for over 20 years at various schools including Indiana University, The Washington School of Ballet, San Diego Civic Youth Ballet, Contra Costa Ballet School, Tutu School, Chicago Ballet Arts, Lou Conte Dance Studio, and New York Theatre Ballet School.

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After retiring from her professional career, Laura moved to New York City and worked as the Administrator and Company Manager for New York Theatre Ballet.  She moved with her husband to Chicago two years ago.  They now have two daughters, Emery and Maybel.  Laura continues to work for NYTB remotely and is delighted to be back home and teaching at SBC  

with the faculty who helped to develop her as a dancer and make her professional career possible.