On Pointe

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, STEPS Dance Studio founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde shares the story of how she opened the world of ballet to everyone and how her foundation continues to assist deserving Filipino dancers in acquiring a world-class education

- Bambina Olivares

There is something timeless and ethereal about ballet. The gentle swirl of pink, from the tights to the tutus to the satin toe shoes; the emotion in every movement, from a hand raised in the air to a dazzling pirouette. Everything about this formalised form of dance that originated in Renaissance Italy and then spread to France embodies grace, elegance, and classic perfection.

It’s also an art form that breathes of exclusivity, privilege, and wealth, evoking a world that seems closed to those who cannot afford the expensive lessons or the dancewear—leotards, tights, tutus, cardigans, ballet slippers—or those who simply aren’t exposed to ballet and the classical music that frequently accompanies it.

Sofia Zobel Elizalde, herself a ballet dancer whose first lead role was that of Clara in the CCP Dance Company’s production of The Nutcracker back when she was a little girl, believes that ballet is for everyone. And to open up the world of ballet, she established the STEPS Scholarship Foundation in November 2007, 13 years after setting up her school, STEPS Dance Studio.

The foundation aims to give assistance to young gifted Filipino dancers who want to have serious dance training in ballet, jazz, or modern dance in the hopes of making dance a future profession.

The Elmhurst Ballet School-trained Elizalde found her first batch of scholars by partnering with Ayala Foundation’s Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education (CENTEX) schools.

“Filipinos are natural dancers,” she said, “they naturally move well, they naturally have a sense of rhythm. Most kids here are very musical, naturally. So I figured, seeing as they had no dance background, the easiest thing to teach them would be street dance.