Some people walk into your life and just make it better. Sarah Hoge is one of those people.
We first connected at Body by Simone, where Sarah taught classes that were equal parts workout and pure joy - because if you've ever taken one of her classes, you know the woman can move. What started as a professional relationship quickly became a friendship, weekly private instruction at my apartment in Manhattan, and eventually sessions for myself and the team at The Laundress, my first company. She showed up for us in the best way.
Sarah came to New York City as a young woman from the midwest with a singular dream: to become a Rockette. That kind of courage - picking up and going at that age, betting on yourself in one of the most competitive cities in the world - is something we deeply admire. She did the work, built a career, and never stopped believing in what she was chasing.
Tell us where you’re from and where you live now.
I grew up in Columbus, Ohio, where I lived until moving to New York at 19. I spent nearly two decades in NYC before relocating to Charlotte, NC, in the spring of 2025.
When you were a little girl, what did you dream of becoming?
I’ve danced since I could walk, and from a very young age, it was all I ever wanted to pursue professionally. I was fortunate enough to see one of my very first hometown dance teachers perform as a Rockette at Radio City when I was 11 years old. That experience was a defining moment for me, and it was when I knew I wanted to pursue a professional dance career in NYC.
How did dance become such an important part of your life?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have grown up in a studio that cultivated a space and community where we all felt supported. My dance studio was a safe haven, and I’m so grateful that my teachers encouraged us to be ourselves while giving us the tools to grow.
Dance also taught me so much more than movement. It taught me discipline, work ethic, time management, collaboration, and so much more. The list is endless, and I continue to apply the lessons I learned in the studio to both my personal and professional life today.
Tell us about your dance studio in New York City. What inspired you to create it?
I co-founded the Precision Dance Collective with my former Rockette colleague and good friend, Katie Walker Henein. Collectively, we spent 29 seasons as Rockettes, and throughout our careers, we were fortunate to learn from some incredible directors and mentors along the way.
Teaching is one of the natural pathways after retiring from professional performance, and Katie and I are both extremely passionate about sharing what we’ve learned with the next generation of dancers. We wanted to give dancers a professional space to train with rigor, purpose, and genuine industry perspective so we built the company we wished had existed when we were first beginning our careers.
What does a typical day look like for you right now?
No two days are the same in my life right now! I’m a full-time mom, run my own company, and am simultaneously working toward my psychology degree through Harvard Extension School. I’m also a certified personal trainer and continually pursue additional education to make sure I’m able to best serve the clients I work with.
Some days I’m home with my girls full-time, while other days I’m in the studio teaching master classes from sunup to sundown. I live in Charlotte, while my company is based in NYC, so there are also days when I’ll fly to New York for a full day of teaching and dancing and be back home by bedtime. It’s a busy season of life, but I feel incredibly fortunate that I get to do so many things that I love while showing my girls that they can always chase their dreams!
For those of us who love to dance but aren’t trained dancers, how can we find welcoming adult classes or dance experiences—especially outside New York City?
Whether it’s dance, fitness, wellness, or something completely new, I recommend finding local social media pages and communities dedicated to the area you live in or are visiting. When I moved to Charlotte, one of the first things I did was look for local dance studios and wellness companies that hosted classes and events.
There are so many opportunities to get involved in local communities, from classes and workshops to events held in parks and outdoor spaces. I found that connecting with other like-minded women was also a great way to discover new classes, events, and experiences in the area.
Most importantly, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone and try something new! You never know who you might meet or what new community you might find yourself a part of.
What is one piece of advice you received during your journey as a dancer that has stayed with you?
Something that has stayed with me throughout my journey as a dancer is the importance of always putting myself in rooms with people who are better than me. To me, that means intentionally placing myself in spaces where I can continue to grow, be challenged, and learn from the people around me. I truly believe there is so much we can learn from the people we choose to surround ourselves with, and I’ve found that some of my greatest growth has come from being willing to put myself in those rooms.
What does a life well lived mean to you?
To me, a life well lived means living a purpose-driven life that I can be proud of when I’m older and look back on where I’ve been. I’m less concerned with checking boxes and more driven by leading with integrity, loving my people hard, and leaving the world just a little better than I found it.
What is your favorite Lindry Lab product - and why?
My favorite Lindry Lab product is the Baby Laundry Detergent. Scents have always had a special way of capturing memories for me, and every time I smell the Baby Detergent, I immediately think of my two girls. It may be a baby detergent, but I use it for all of our laundry because I love that familiar scent. It’s a little way I can carry a piece of my girls with me wherever I go!
We love Sarah because she's a dancer, a teacher, a hustler, and an entrepreneur - and because she shows every young person watching that dreaming big and working hard are not mutually exclusive. She's the real thing, and we're lucky to know her.
