Laura Sonnek is from Springfield, Illinois. She attended Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet’s Pre-Professional Program after receiving their highly competitive Female Ballet Training Scholarship. She most recently trained and performed with Orlando Ballet School and Orlando Ballet, appearing in the corps de ballet of Giselle, Christopher Stowell's Swan Lake, James Sofranko's Romeo and Juliet, and Jorden Morris' The Nutcracker, as well as Disney's Young People's Concerts. Known for her commanding stage presence and flair for dramatic acting, her featured roles included Lady Montague in Romeo and Juliet, the Queen Mother in Swan Lake, and the Cook in The Nutcracker. She also performed excerpts from Raymonda and La Bayadère with the school, and trained under choreographer and former New York City Ballet dancer Giovanni Villalobos.

Prior to Orlando Ballet, Laura attended the School of American Ballet’s Summer Course and danced as a Company Artist with Springfield Ballet, performing in touring productions of The Little Mermaid and The Nutcracker throughout Illinois. She was also featured alongside principal dancer Elpidio Magat in a neoclassical pas de deux during Breaking Boundaries.

At Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet, Laura studied under distinguished faculty including Darla Hoover, Alecia Good-Boresow, Noelani Pantastico, and the iconic Pat Sorrell. Her repertoire included George Balanchine's The Nutcracker and Valse Fantaisie, Alan Hineline's Hansel and Gretel, and original works by Nicole Haskins and Alan Hineline presented during the 2022 Founder's Series.

Additionally, Laura completed teacher training in Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet's Proven Teaching Syllabus®, developed by Marcia Dale Weary, and accomplished Balanced Body® Pilates Instructor Training through all Reformer levels.

Laura is excited to join Central Illinois Ballet for her first season with the company.