Getting a university degree can be challenging for anyone. Balancing priorities and setting enough time aside to do assignments can prove to be a very tricky task, even for some of us who don’t work and strictly focus on our degrees. Hip Hop captain at Leeds Beckett University, Sophia Lucarelli, works alongside forty plus girls and boys day in day out to choreograph and rehearse for dance competitions throughout each semester.
Sophia has been responsible for choreographing for big events including Fight Night and Leeds Rhinos netball – both sold out events at the First Direct Arena. Varsity and dance competitions also take up many days on the academic calendar, which also fits into her schedule.
Whilst doing this, she works part time to support her degree financially and studies a full-time events management degree. A typical day for Sophia could be university at 9am – 12pm, then Barista work 1pm till 5pm, then straight to dance till 9pm.
When asking Sophia about the pressure of balancing her priorities whilst being a student she said: “I’m at University for a degree and not necessarily to be a dance coach so it is hard to prioritize especially with the pressure which is on my shoulders, not only for myself but a whole other group of people. My degree only impacts me, but if we don’t put our all in with dance then it will impact a whole group of people and I don’t want to let down the girls who worked hard and auditions for my dance group. I have handed in loads of essays late as I feel there is not as much pressure to hand in my work than there is to prepare a dance routine for a whole crowd of people.”
Views of Lucarelli’s talent were unquestioned as she was appointed captain towards the end of her first year at university. Each member of the dance society is asked to vote who they believe will be a fitting candidate to lead the girls into competitions and configure routines for them to practise. Having been made captain by her teammates she believes it’s even more important and people don’t understand the pressure unless you are in that position. Expectations from existing and new dancers weigh on Sophia as she wants to be a ‘good role model.’
“For freshers the first term of university can be scary, and you want dance to be a safe space to come to, you want them to feel like their captain is caring and you can go to them with my problems and continue to have their passion for dance.”
Realising head coach was more than just creating dance routines Lucarelli found she was a sort of motherly figure especially to a lot of the younger students which was rewarding. Hosting socials also enables students to get out the house and have a good time which she feels is important but does take up a lot of Sophias own time.
Sophia talking about the importance of her role as captain.
As a female student in a position of leadership Sophia discussed whether she feels she inspires people around her dance. Lucarelli said: “Without sounding big headed, I like to think I do because I know I was inspired by the other captains when I was a fresher which led me onto go for the role of coach. I want to set a good example, be a good leader and be a supportive person. I have a passion to dance so being a captain lets me continue to do what I love to outside of work and university so although it’s tricky it all seems worth it.”
Not only does she hope that she can inspire but she also hopes her dance group can inspire with recent competitions routines heavily revolving around female empowerment.
Sophia rounded off by saying: “Although it’s incredibly stressful at times as it’s a bit like another job, the rewarding feeling you get when all the girls enjoy it much outweighs the panic of reaching deadlines.”
