Check Out Wendy Sosa’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Wendy Sosa.

Hi Wendy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Dance has been a constant in my life for over four decades. I began training at the Nashua School of Dance before continuing at Boston Ballet and later touring with José Mateo’s Ballet Theatre of Boston. My path led me to the Hartford School of Ballet, where I earned both Performance and Teaching Certifications, and ultimately to Colorado, where I completed my BA in Dance at the University of Northern Colorado.

Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of performing original Balanchine works such as Serenade, Stars and Stripes, and Western Symphony, along with lead roles in The Nutcracker and Graduation Ball. I trained in multiple classical methodologies — including Royal Academy of Dance, Vaganova, and Cecchetti — and studied under extraordinary mentors who shaped both my technique and my philosophy as a teacher.

But the most defining shift in my journey came when I transitioned from performing to building something of my own. After years of teaching and developing ballet programs locally, I founded the Colorado Dance Collective in 2009 — a nonprofit adult dance company rooted in artistic excellence, inclusivity, and community connection.

Today, I lead CDC as Executive Director and Ballet Director, while continuing to teach teens and adults across Northern Colorado. What inspires me most is guiding dancers — especially older teens and adults — to rediscover their strength, discipline, and artistry. I believe dance is not something we age out of; it’s something we grow into.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has absolutely not been a smooth road — and I say that with gratitude.

I grew up in the classical ballet world, which is deeply disciplined and quietly demanding. There were no competitions or trophies — just daily rigor. Perfect leotard, perfect hair, relentless self-correction in front of the mirror. You learn early how to take critique, how to push through sore muscles and blistered feet, and how to hear “no” even when you felt in your bones that you had given everything. Ballet teaches resilience, but it can also test your confidence. You learn to separate your worth from the role you didn’t get.

Years later, starting a nonprofit dance company brought a different kind of challenge. I had to shift from artist to founder — learning fundraising, marketing, board development, and how to invite others to believe in a vision that didn’t yet exist. Building trust, gathering the right people around the table, and sustaining momentum year after year has required as much discipline as any ballet training I ever had.

But I wouldn’t change a thing. Those early lessons in perseverance prepared me to build something lasting. Every obstacle shaped the leader I am today — and the “Miss Wendy” my dancers know and trust.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in classical ballet instruction for teens and adults, and in leading a nonprofit dance company that produces high-quality, community-centered performances. For over 17 seasons, the Colorado Dance Collective has grown into a vibrant organization of more than 50 members, presenting major productions and outreach initiatives throughout Northern Colorado.

Ballet is a demanding world — I’ve lived through its beauty and its harshness. I understand the discipline, the critique, the pursuit of perfection. What sets me apart is that I’ve taken those experiences and filtered them through joy. My classes honor the integrity and structure of classical ballet, but they don’t feel cold or punishing. They are challenging and deeply technical, yet accessible. Dancers work hard — legs shaking, hearts pounding — but they leave feeling strong, capable, and inspired.

I am especially proud of creating spaces where every body feels seen and valued. I don’t shy away from different abilities, ages, or body types — I embrace them. I want dancers to feel empowered in their strength and artistry, not diminished by it.

Over the years, I’ve realized that my greatest accomplishment isn’t a role I performed — it’s the artists I’ve helped guide. Being a steady presence in their journeys is what I’m most proud of.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
One of my favorite childhood memories is playing in the front yard of the home I grew up in in Nashua, New Hampshire with my grandpa, Frederick Duckworth. He was tall and lean, with glasses, the warmest smile, and a quiet laugh that was completely contagious. He carried a sense of whimsy that made ordinary moments feel magical.

Our front yard had a massive pine tree that cast wide pockets of shade over the soft grass. Lilac bushes lined the edges of the yard, and when the wind carried their scent through the air, everything felt sweet and full of possibility.

One weekend, I had a giant purple swirled ball, and Grandpa declared we had “big plans.” He told me to back up — farther… even farther — until I was nearly at the neighbor’s yard. Then he “bopped” the ball high into the sky. It felt like it disappeared into the clouds before it arced back down toward me. When I caught it, I looked across the yard and saw him jumping with his hands in the air in victory.

We played until our arms were tired and our cheeks hurt from laughing. It was simple. It was joyful. It was perfect.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://coloradodancecollective.com
• Instagram: coloradodancecollective
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ColoradoDanceCollective

Image Credits
Woody Myers Photography, Jennifer Jurado-Johnson logo design, Nordic Flair Photography