Professional Dancer Calls Severna Park Home

A Maryland native with a unique history when it comes to dance, Michelle Smith has known since about 6 years old that dance needed to be a major part of her life, whether she was performing or behind the scenes.

“I love to dance,” she said, “but I love to work with people more. I enjoy nurturing their talents, and I love to see them grow as artists and individuals.”

Smith grew up around dance. While her mother was not an avid dancer, she did own a dance studio, and Smith credits her with providing the best instruction she could offer.

Right out of high school, Smith toured with the New York City Dance Alliance when the owner suggested she audition for the Rockettes. “I loved the show but never saw myself actually being part of it,” Smith said.

After a grueling two-day audition process, Smith received a call inviting her to join the historic dance company. Smith enjoyed a great experience with the Rockettes during her one season, but she was always “itching to come home.”

After settling in Severna Park, Smith met her husband and started a family. She travels as a choreographer and co-directs the newly opened Millersville-based studio The Dance Collective alongside her friend and business partner Arminda Snyder.

“We want to create a space for young kids who are just feeling out their interest in dance,” Smith said. “We want to nurture and build young, confident artists and we want to be their place of excitement.”

Smith considers opening The Dance Collective to be her greatest accomplishment. “My partner and I consider this our baby and we want to nurture it and watch it grow,” she said. “We are so new, but we want to build our presence in the community. We want everybody to know who we are and what we are about. We encourage everyone to come check us out. We are both very hands-on people and we want to be involved in every aspect of studio ownership. Even beyond dance, we want to be involved in our students’ lives.”

Classes offered include ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, lyrical, contemporary, and stretch and flex. More information can be found at www.thedancecollectivemd.com.