She has been dancing officially since the age of five, unofficially since she was in the womb. She lives in Nikšić, and in her thoughts she often shows why she is called the "hip-hop princess" in New York's Times Square. She was born with an "excess" of musical genes, and in the immediate and extended family it is difficult to count who was and is engaged in dance, music, and art. Officially, she is a two-time world champion in hip-hop, and unofficially - a simple girl who captivates with a smile.
Her name is Sofija Burić, has been a member of the Dance Club "Royal" from Nikšić for six years, and a member of the national team of Montenegro for three years.
When asked what dancing is for her, Sofija answers briefly with a smile - "love", while her eyes somehow shine in a special way and in them you can read everything she hasn't said, but feels.
Last year in Poland, Sofija brought Montenegro, but also the dance club where she trains hard, the first world gold medal in dance.
"I was hoping, but I didn't expect a medal, because exceptional competitors entered the final, including the world champion. I didn't believe that I could beat them. I was overjoyed when I realized that I was the first, and it's hard to describe in words the feeling when the national anthem is played in your honor," says Sofija, who turned 13 on September 11.
This year, she repeated her success and showed that, the year before, she did not accidentally find herself on the podium. She previously won the European throne, and she is the national champion both last year and this year in the "Solo street style children" category.
"It was easier for me this year, because last year about 250 contestants took part, and this year 215", says Sofija as if it were a small number of contestants.
But, well, for the two-time world champion, 215 contestants are "small".
Everything started from brother Ivan
“My oldest brother Ivan, who is now 18 years old, played in 'Royal' and I started listening to hip-hop with him. When I attended his first concert, I definitely knew that I wanted to dance. I was about five years old and that's how my dance story began".
Austrian writer Viku Baum she wrote a long time ago that there are shortcuts to happiness, and that dance is one of them. Although Sofia had never heard of Baum or the mentioned quote, as soon as she let her feet dance she knew - joy and love were there.
"I've always loved dancing, especially hip-hop. I was and still am attracted to that kind of music. Of course, I dreamed of becoming a member of the national team and starting to win medals both at domestic, European and world competitions, but I didn't know if and when that would happen."
And it happened relatively quickly. Her talent, musical genes, persistence and work bore fruit.
"There is also great support from my coaches, Nicole i Miloš Adžić, and great work with them. They are always with me and believed in me from the very beginning. Of course, my family is also there and their support is very important to me".
Sofia's dancing talent was convinced by her teacher last year, as well as everyone who attended the "Olga Golović" School Day celebration.
"Last year, the teacher formed a group of several of us. We came up with a choreography for the School Day, while we were rehearsing, I showed my friends how to play it, and I also had a solo part, and everyone was surprised and delighted when they saw how I danced."
In addition to dancing, Sofia is also good at music. He attends the fifth grade of the "Dara Čokorilo" Music School and plays the violin. And again brother Ivan is the "culprit" - because of him she chose the violin.
"I assumed that if I didn't know something, Ivan would be there to help me".
She adds that her middle brother too Miloš, who is 15 years old, used to dance and is in the second grade of the High School of Music. He plays the piano, and Sofija chose to follow in his eldest brother's footsteps instead of his. When asked if Miloš is jealous that she decided to "follow" Ivan and not him, he answers with a smile: "A little".
She is an excellent student and her school record is adorned with only fives.
"It is not difficult to balance elementary and music school and dance when I am the first shift. Then I have time for rest and socializing. When I'm on the second shift, it's a little harder for me, but I still get everything done".
He also likes basketball and plays it with his brothers, as well as at school. She is an excellent impersonator, but that talent is reserved for the family circle, and acting suits her well. She is witty, sociable, well-liked in society and always smiling. I guess that's why her dance seems "smiling" because, as the American dancer said Marta Gray - dance is the hidden language of the soul.
The club does not have to worry - neither about the competitors, nor about the coaches
Sofija and her brothers inherited their musical genes from their parents. Mother Milica, a producer in the theater, but also an English teacher, participated in the first Intro karaokes, sang at the Bedem fest, and as a child was a successful dancer. Dad Dušan was a bassist in the group "Dr Pikaso" and played folklore. There is also a wider musical family on mom's and dad's side, so it's no wonder that Sofia's hands and feet never rest.
"Sofia simply has no peace - she is always playing. We watched her at this year's world championship, which was held in Skopje. While the other contestants were performing, Sofija was constantly dancing behind the stage, so the coaches had to tell her to rest a bit, because she will be tired by the time she performs," says mom Milica.
“I love watching the other contestants play. I especially like the competitors in the older categories from Sweden, Slovenia and Lithuania, and the two Canadians. I know that after the performance I approach them and congratulate them on a great game. I also like seminars. This year, seminars were held by a Slovenian at the dance camp in Piva Benjamin and a Lithuanian Edgar. They were great".
She hopes that one day, like the two of them, as well as her trainer Nikolina, she will hold seminars. And not only that.
"I don't know what I will enroll in after primary school - high school for music or gymnasium, but that's why I know that I will dance all my life. When I grow up, I would like to have my own dance school, or to be a trainer at the 'Royal' dance club. And I would also like to hold seminars".
What is it like to be world champion - not once, but twice?
"Super. I never pretend to be important because of that, but I'm very happy that people congratulate me on the successes I've achieved", says Sofija, whose movements are real poetry.
While he dreams of the American dream, he creates a "commotion" in the Croatian "Supertalent"
Hip-hop was born in the mid-70s of the last century in New York, in the Bronx neighborhoods. This is one of the reasons why Sofia dreams of going to the "Big Apple".
"I would like to go to my uncle and aunt in New York and play there. They told me that there are a lot of street performers in Times Square, that they always meet them and that it is very attractive. And I watched it in movies and series. In America, I would also like to act, as well as hold dance seminars. America is my dream country".
It's no wonder she's a true master of American pancakes. However, her tortillas are top notch too - even the cashier in one store asked her for the recipe.
Tonight, the audience in Montenegro will be able to see Sofia's performance in the Croatian "Supertalent", where last week, in the fifth episode, she won the podium, as well as the jury, presenters and audience. The viewers declared her the hip-hop princess, and she won the "golden key" - a direct ticket to the semi-finals.
"You stole my gold! I will not forgive you for this," said the singer Maja Suput, a member of the jury, who wanted to press the golden button, but her leaders, Frano Riđan i Igor Meshin, with preduhytrile.
"Thank you, Sofija, for coming to us and for showing, in my humble opinion, what a super talent is", the comment was Martine Tomčić Moskaljov, other members of the jury.
Davor Bilman pointed out that Sofia's performance was perfect, while Fabijan Pavao Medvešek added that her face and how much she enjoys dancing are "proof of why she should do what she loves".
He's not just one of the trainers at "Royal", Milos Adzic, after she danced to the world throne for the second time, said:
"Our child from another planet".
Bonus video:
