As a Master of Fine Arts candidate in the Department of Dance at The Ohio State University, Smith served as a Graduate Associate for two years in the Education Department of the Wexner Center for the Arts. At the Wexner Center, Smith helped facilitate hands-on projects for families and teens based on the artwork of exhibitors. Currently, as a Graduate Teaching Associate, Smith teaches Contemporary and Jazz techniques in the elective program for the Department of Dance and Composition classes for undergraduate dance majors. In preparation for the design of an online teaching tool for dance educators, Smith is documenting the teaching methods of Vera J. Blaine, dance professor emeriti.

Smith is the director of websmith, a web solutions business specifically aimed at supporting artists and non-profit organizations. She is the Artistic Director of Motor Dance and has presented and performed original choreography nationwide in festivals such as Big Range Austin Dance Festival, Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival, Bumbershoot, Islewilde Festival, and the National College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center. Smith's work has been funded by the Coca Cola Critical Difference for Women Award, the Alumni Grants for Graduate Research and Scholarship, and by OSU’s Department of Dance through the Chair’s Discretionary Fund and the Vera J. Blaine Special Project Fund. hide this content

My eclectic background in various styles of modern dance as well as improvisation, yoga, roller derby and boxing, undeniably informs the way in which I structure technique classes. My objective is to teach material that presents physical, creative and intellectual challenges in order to develop daring, athletic and dynamic performers. Essential elements in my technique classes are improvisational inquiry, walking and running phrases to warm joints, pliés to assist in propelling one’s body through space, rigorous movement combinations, questions from students and peer feedback that engages a positive class dynamic.

Fostering the unique talents of each student is just as vital as teaching dance technique and theory. I believe in using the transformative nature of improvisation and authentic movement to awaken student curiosity. I strive to create an environment where students are able to take calculated risks and be courageous, passionate dancers. Most importantly, I am committed to preparing students for a diverse range of performing and educational experiences in the dance field long after they participate in my classes. hide this content