Sophie Williams—a dancer with a rich international career—was born in California but holds deep ties to New Zealand, embracing both identities as a part of her artistic journey. With a career spanning the globe, she founded Pointeworks in 2023 with a mission to provide work opportunities for artists in the off-season, foster a culture of collaboration, and fill a crucial void in the dance world. Committed to elevating the voices of female artists and bringing cutting-edge ballet to her hometown of San Diego, Williams envisions Pointeworks as a platform for innovation, connection, and artistic excellence.

Under her direction, Pointeworks has presented work to more than 2,061 audience members, engaged 22 artists in its inaugural season and an expanded 49 artists in Season 2, and commissioned eight ballets for the repertoire—seven by female choreographers. The company’s debut in June 2024 at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center in La Jolla was a sold-out success, establishing Pointeworks as a vital new force in the dance world. Williams went on to lead the company’s first New York City performances, which sold out and marked a major milestone for a young organization. Season 2 (2025) expanded Pointeworks’ reach with performances in San Diego and Irvine, both of which played to full houses, demonstrating a growing appetite for the company’s unique vision.

In addition to her artistic leadership, Williams has launched community-centered initiatives that expand access and engagement. The Mentorship Program provides young dancers with the opportunity to learn directly from world-class artists, while the Sponsor a Seat Program bridges the gap in professional arts by underwriting complimentary tickets for students, veterans, and first responders. Together, these programs underscore her commitment to curating accessibility and cultivating a more inclusive ballet audience.

As a dancer, her training began in Solana Beach at Ballet Arte Academy of Classical Ballet under Sara Viale and Erlends Zieminch, followed by Miami City Ballet’s Pre-Professional Division.

Williams’ professional career is a testament to passion, perseverance, and adaptability. She started at Ballet San Jose before dancing with companies across the USA, including Oklahoma City Ballet, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, BalletMet, Complexions, Richmond Ballet, and American National Ballet. She also spent several seasons overseas with Royal New Zealand Ballet before returning to the U.S. in 2022 to join Texas Ballet Theater under Ben Stevenson.

Her diverse repertoire includes principal roles in Balanchine’s Concerto Barocco (First and Second Violins), Serenade(Dark Angel), and La Bayadère (Gamzatti). Additional performance highlights include Balanchine’s Rubies and Theme and Variations, alongside contemporary works such as Andrea Schermoly’s Within Without, Val Caniparoli’s Without Borders, and full-length classics including Giselle (Alicia Alonso, Ethan Stiefel, and Edward Liang), Liang’s Don Quixoteand Cinderella, Liam Scarlett’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Patricia Barker’s Paquita, Sleeping Beauty, and Pas de Quatre, Summer Fairy in Ben Stevenson’s Cinderella, as well as Stevenson’s Dracula, Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and Alice in Wonderland.She has performed notable works such as Shibuya Blues by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa, Maple Leaf Rag by Martha Graham, and Jabula by Natalie Weir.

Williams has also engaged deeply in creative processes through freelancing, working with National Choreographers Initiative and Chamber Dance Project.

With her passion for both classical and contemporary movement, Williams continues to forge new paths, bridging tradition with innovation and expanding opportunities for artists in the ballet world.

Instagram: @sophiewilliams742