ABOUT ME

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Summer Smith grew up in South Jersey, where she began dancing at a young age. Having an arts focused family, she received exposure to all types of art throughout her childhood and studied painting and drawing alongside dance. In high school, Summer trained at The Rock School for Dance Education in Philadelphia. During this time, she received scholarships to study with many companies and schools such as, Orlando Ballet, Ballet Met, and American Ballet Theatre. Summer received her BFA in Dance and Painting with honors at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia. While attending UArts, she was selected to perform works by Ronen Koresh, Christine Cox, Anastasia Babeyeva and William Forsythe. She also had the opportunity to study dance pedagogy and the Vaganova syllabus.

Summer went on to dance with Ballet 5:8 where she served as a Company Artist. She also had the opportunity to use her visual arts training to design sets and props as their Production Designer. At Ballet 5:8, she performed soloist and corps roles in original works by Julianna Slager, Caleb Mitchell, and Preston Miller. She also devoted significant time to teaching and choreographing for the Ballet 5:8 conservatory. Summer is passionate about teaching and coaching young dancers and has aided many students in becoming finalists at YAGP NY with her original choreography. Currently, Summer teaches at many studios in the Chicago area.

Summer dances for Winifred Haun & Dancers where she serves as Assistant Choreographer. She also dances with Moonwater Dance Project, a young company founded and directed by Mackenzie King.