Wednesday, February 27, 2013

The Dancer Biography Blog: Lauren Smith



Plie is your friend,” jokes Lauren.  And it certainly is Lauren’s friend, too!  Beginning this fall, Lauren Smith will create lifelong friendships between Festival Dance students and the plie when she is the head instructor for the Young Dancer’s Program.  Lauren would like to let her future students know that, “Each and every dancer has something special, and I can't wait to discover what makes each of you shine. Never let an opportunity to dance pass you by.”

Lauren began dancing in 2nd grade at a studio in Newman Lake, Washington, mostly focusing on jazz, musical theatre, and lyrical.  Lyrical was her favorite because it was “strong” and “powerful” and she could make it her own.  However, in 6th grade Lauren started taking classes in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, too, and fell in love with ballet.  She’s been doing rond de jambe en l’air and circular port de bras ever since then.  Lauren has won numerous dance awards, including the Idaho Distinguished Young Woman Talent Scholarship, and performed in numerous shows, such as “Don Quixote” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.  She is most proud of her dance experience training with the Long Beach Ballet and then touring around China for three weeks.  The tour company of 25 to 30 dancers even performed in Beijing.

Lauren is currently finishing her first year at the University of Idaho.  Her favorite classes have been Diedre Sakota’s jazz class and Mia Seshiki’s ballet class.  When Lauren is not busy working towards her degrees in Dance and Exercise Science and Health, she likes to spend her time running, cooking, and traveling.   After Lauren graduates from UI, she plans to continue her education and eventually become a physical therapist for a dance company on the West Coast.  She will of course keep dancing!  Lauren would love the opportunity to do the aerial work in Cirque Du Soleil.  

Don’t miss Lauren’s upcoming performance as the lead principal in the Ballet School of Coeur D’Alene’s performance of “Giselle” this spring at the North Idaho College Auditorium.  For more information, please visit their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ballet-School-of-Coeur-dAlene/163421170388886.   
We look forward to seeing you all there!

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