Sophie Beem wrote and recorded songs at SOCAPA Music in New York City at 14. Less than two years later, Beyoncé signed her to Parkwood Entertainment, and she went on tour with Beyoncé and Charlie Puth.
We love sharing stories like this one. SOCAPA alum Sophie Beem spent the summer of 2013 in our 3-Week Music program in New York City, writing and recording songs at 14. Less than two years later, Beyoncé signed her to Parkwood Entertainment.
Discovered young
Sophie, a New York City native, first caught the country’s attention on The X Factor USA in 2012, singing for judges Britney Spears, Demi Lovato, Simon Cowell and L.A. Reid. She made the Top 40, and Simon Cowell told her, “Some people are born to do this, and you’re one of them.”
Signed by Beyoncé
The following summer she came to SOCAPA. In 2015, news broke that Beyoncé had signed Sophie to an artist development deal with Parkwood Entertainment, Beyoncé’s own company. What followed was a whirlwind:
- Debut EP: Her self-titled EP arrived in 2016, led by the single “Skyline” and featuring “I Got It” with Fetty Wap.
- On tour: In 2016 she opened for Charlie Puth on his Nine Track Mind Tour and toured with Beyoncé on The Formation World Tour.
- More music: She followed with the singles “Girls Will Be Girls” and “Glow” in 2018, and “Stars” and “Petty” in 2020. Watch her acoustic performance of “Stars” above.
Back to school
Sophie then chose college, enrolling at the USC Thornton School of Music, where she worked with 840 West, USC’s student-run record label, on her next sound.
“I wanted to go to USC to have a community of people my own age and really be able to go through trial and error, learning and growing.”
— Sophie Beem, to the Daily Trojan
We are so proud that Sophie’s journey ran through SOCAPA, and we can’t wait to hear what she makes next.
Your story starts here
SOCAPA’s Music program lets teen musicians write songs, perform live, record in professional studios and make original music videos, in New York City, Los Angeles and Vermont.
