Sophia Smith

AMELIA SHULTZ, a Chicago native, began her dance training at various studios throughout the city and spent her high school years with Extensions Dance Company under the direction of Lizzie Mackenzie. She is a graduate of the Arts Umbrella Post-Graduate Program, where she performed works by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Marco Goecke, Crystal Pite, Medhi Walerski, and others, and participated in Ballet BC Annex under Walerski’s direction.

 

Amelia made her professional debut in Season 5 of SFDanceworks, performing repertoire by Edward Clug, Yin Yue, and Laura O’Malley. In August 2022, she joined DanceWorks Chicago, spending two seasons with the company and touring nationally and internationally. In fall 2024, she joined PARA.MAR Dance Theatre for its Season V anthology, performing works by artistic director Stephanie Martinez and Hélène Simoneau. She also performed with ISHIDA Dance in Austin and Houston, Texas, in “as long as there is in me,” featuring choreography by Brett Ishida.

 

In July 2025, Amelia joined Niko8. She also works as a freelance dance artist, collaborating with various Chicago artists, including Alix Schillaci and Haley Tarling.