THE COMPANY

Passion, creativity, and dedication to the art of dance are the driving forces of Pointeworks. Founded in 2023 by Artistic Director Sophie Williams, a California native with an international dance career, Pointeworks was born as a nonprofit performing arts company with a vision to elevate the voices of female artists and to bring cutting-edge ballet to her hometown of San Diego. Based in Southern California, Pointeworks is committed to inspiring our community by celebrating the voices of dance, as it strives to nurture and connect artists of all backgrounds, and bring a balance to the kinds of voices that are represented on stage through classical and contemporary works. 

THE ARTISTS

  • SOPHIE WILLIAMS

    ARTISTIC DIRECTOR/FOUNDER

  • VALENTIN BATISTA

    Dancer

  • Rieko Hatato

    Dancer

  • Rayleigh Vendt

    Dancer

  • Kyle Torres-Hiyoshi

    Dancer

  • Paige Nyman

    Dancer

  • INGRID SILVA

    Dancer

  • Elias Re

    Dancer

  • LINDSEY DONNELL

    Dancer

  • LUIS PRACHAR REGO

    Dancer

  • Sophie Savas-Carstens

    Dancer

  • Denis Maciel

    Dancer

  • SPENCER LENAIN

    DANCER

  • GABRIEL WRIGHT

    DANCER

  • NICOLE VON ENCK

    Dancer

  • CLAIRE VON ENCK

    Dancer

  • EMMA VON ENCK

    Dancer

The Choreographers

  • Reka Gyulai

    Choreographer

  • HEATHER NICHOLS

    Choreographer

  • CAILI QUAN

    Choreographer

  • Nicole Von Enck

    Choreographer

  • Melody Mennite

    Choreographer

  • Leiland Charles

    Choreographer

  • Gabriel Speiller

    Choreographer

  • LAINE HABONY

    Choreographer

  • DAYOUNG JUNG

    Choreographer

collaborators & Team

  • Katie Jenkins

    Composer

  • Katya RIchardson

    Composer

  • Polina Cherezova

    Pianist

  • Joshua Mhoon

    Pianist

  • Susan Roemer

    Costume Design

  • Lauren Starobin

    Costume Designer

  • Laura Zingle

    Stage Manager

  • Samantha Zauscher

    Photographer

  • Raquel Beauchamp

    Photographer

  • Alexander Sargent

    Videographer

  • Nathan Carlson

    Photographer

  • Christian Griggs-Drane

    Development Coordinator

  • AvaRose Dillon

    Marketing and Outreach Coordinator

  • Kira Anderson

    Marketing and Development

Executive Team & Board of Directors

  • Kathryn Kayton Heden

    Director of Development

    development@pointeworks.org

  • Paige Nyman

    Advisory Board Member

  • Sophie Savas-Carstens

    Secretary of the Board

  • Sophie Williams

    Director of the Board

about pointeworks

Our History

Pointeworks was founded in 2023 with a mission to provide professional dancers with year-round performance opportunities while amplifying diverse voices in ballet. Led by Artistic Director Sophie Williams, a professional dancer and creative director, Pointeworks fosters a collaborative, artist-focused environment that bridges the gap between traditional ballet company seasons.

Our debut performance took place on June 20, 2024, at the Baker Baum Theater in La Jolla’s Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center. The sold-out performance featured 20 artists—including dancers, choreographers, a pianist, a composer, and a costume designer—and celebrated female voices in ballet. The program included five pieces, with two world premieres, marking a significant milestone in the company’s artistic journey.

Pointeworks is committed to accessibility and community engagement. In our first season, we partnered with organizations like UCSD's Student Mental Health and Wellness Committee, VetTix, and the La Jolla Golden Triangle Rotary Club to offer ticket outreach and engage diverse audiences. To further extend our reach, performances were also streamed on Marquee TV, making our work accessible beyond the theater.

Our 2024 performance at the Conrad Prebys Performing Arts Center sold out entirely, generating significant support and proving the demand for our innovative programming. With this success, we enter our 2025 season with plans for expanded performances and outreach, particularly in New York City. This expansion is a key step in Pointeworks’ growth, helping us strengthen our position in the ballet world and continue pushing boundaries in contemporary dance.

Performing in New York City provides us with an unparalleled platform to refine our artistic voice and engage with a sophisticated audience. The city’s vibrant dance community and industry professionals offer invaluable feedback and exposure, allowing our choreographers to further develop their careers while keeping Pointeworks at the cutting edge of ballet innovation.

As we continue to grow, we remain committed to our mission of providing opportunities for dancers, amplifying diverse voices in ballet, and fostering an inclusive and supportive community for both artists and audiences.

Paige Nyman - Board Member of Pointeworks

“It is important to me to be a part of this female led project because I trust in the quality and vision of the woman leading us. Sophie loves the world of ballet, and her female perspective creates a lens that is underrepresented, but nonetheless full of passion and purpose, worthy of being presented. Knowing that is the standard she sets, I know the other women brought into this project will match that energy and will create an environment unlike one I have ever experienced. Additionally, representation is imperative and supporting a goal that will create tangible change from the beginning is incredibly rewarding.”