Axel Sobel

2025 Dance Scholarship Recipient

Axel, a dedicated young dancer from North Hollywood, CA, began his dance journey casually, balancing hip hop, ballet, and martial arts. During the pandemic, his interest in dance waned as Zoom classes sapped his motivation, and he turned his focus to Filipino martial arts and visual arts. It wasn’t until his mother encouraged him to join a local hip hop crew and later enroll in classical ballet training at the Debbie Allen Dance Academy and Marat Daukeyev School of Ballet that his passion for ballet truly ignited.

Now in 10th grade, Axel has developed a deep appreciation for the strength and artistry in ballet, especially inspired by male dancers of color like Isaac Hernández and Carlos Acosta. He challenges traditional perceptions of ballet’s femininity, emphasizing the athleticism and power it demands. A pivotal moment came when a jazz teacher told him he had “something special,” fueling his commitment and love for the discipline, even through physical exhaustion and setbacks.

With support from the Anthony Quinn Foundation, Axel will attend the San Francisco Ballet Summer Session this summer. He sees it as a critical step in improving his technical skills and getting closer to his dreams of joining a professional ballet company and one day opening his own dance school.