Ashley Smith was raised in Las Vegas, Nevada where and when her passion for the arts- specifically ballet - began. In her youth, Ashley studied ballet through the Royal Academy of Dance (R.A.D) through which she completed levels 1-8.  Ashley also trained in and completed the ISTD tap curriculum. She simultaneously studied modern and jazz styles. During her teenage years Ashley discovered her love of teaching through her home studio- Kravenko Youth Ballet and Academy of Dance. This led to her decision to complete her R.A.D. certificate in ballet teaching studies. Ashley moved to Provo, Utah where she continued her ballet training at Brigham young University and also continued to develop her teaching abilities instructing at local studios. Ashley opened Orem Dance Theater in her basement in 2007. Today she is the Studio Director and also a teacher at that same studio, now called SMASH Dance Academy. Ashley has an absolute passion for growth and learning. She is determined to stay current and relevant in the dance industry as styles, trends,  science and mental health awareness all continue to morph. To do so, she has continued her education becoming a certified American Ballet Theater (ABT) instructor. In addition, Ashley is a certified Progressive Ballet Techique (PBT) instructor, and has completed countless certifications through other training programs. Ashley is equally passionate about the continual and effective growth of her students. SMASH Dance Academy has become a successful, safe, and empowering place to learn and develop passion for the art of dance because of the intense focus on the studio core values (empowered, introspective, respectful, hard-working, and transparent.) Ashley is currently serving on the board of Ballet West as well as the board for Abby Cox's Show Up Initiative through which Ashley uses the arts to provide opportunities for service in the state of Utah. Most recently, in correlation with her association with the Utah Jazz, she has had the opportunity to work closely with the Utah Jazz dancers as they build the program to be a vehicle for artistic communication and growth for professional dancers in Utah. 

Rachel received her Bachelors of Arts in Dance from Brigham Young University and was awarded the Distinguished Graduating Senior award, as well as the Outstanding Female Performer award. Upon graduation, Rachel completed a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training program, worked as adjunct faculty at BYU teaching beginning and intermediate contemporary technique, and also began teaching at SMASH Dance Academy in Provo, Utah. At SMASH, she developed her passion and purpose for teaching youth and works as Associate Director, helping to grow both the size and the exceptional culture of the studio. Rachel loves being with her students! Rachel is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 5 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She also holds a certification in Progressing Ballet Technique. Rachel enjoyed performing with Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company for six years, has choreographed a dozen works for the company, and served as an Associate Director of the company for seven years. Rachel is trying her best to resist becoming a dance-mom to her ten-year-old daughter and loves peaceful mornings on her patio.

Hattie Bingham has trained for over 17 years in ballet, jazz, and contemporary, and she has also studied tap, hip-hop, and Latin ballroom.  She is a Brigham Young University graduate with her BA in Dance. She was a member of  BYU’s Theatre Ballet Company for 3 seasons, and has also performed with Myriad Contemporary Company in Salt Lake City. Hattie is an ABT® Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABT® Teacher Training Intensive in Pre-Primary through Level 3 of the ABT® National Training Curriculum. She loves creating and telling stories through dance, and helping her students feel capable and confident in their technique and artistry as they learn and perform.

Shanae, originally from Payson, Utah, received the majority of her dance training at Lifehouse Performing Arts Academy where she trained extensively in ballet, contemporary ballet, contemporary, Horton technique, modern, jazz, tap, and hip hop. During her time at Lifehouse she performed many leading roles in the production of Paquita, Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, including Clara and the Sugar Plum Fairy (twice). Upon graduating highschool Shanae attended Brigham Young University on scholarship. While attending BYU she had the opportunity to perform on BYU’s top touring companies, including Theatre Ballet, BYU Cougarettes, and Contemporary Dance Theatre. Throughout her duration she performed many leading roles and worked closely with world renowned choreographers Ihsan Rustem, Jaci Royal, Laja Field and martin Durov, Albert Del Saz, Jenn Freeman, and Jesse Obremski. She performed their works throughout the American Midwest, Berlin, Prague, and New York. At the conclusion of her BYU experience Shanae was awarded Most Outstanding Dancer and Top Performer by her Professor’s. Shanae recently was chosen to attend SALT’s pre-professional training intensive, LINK, where she worked alongside Bret Easterling and Amy Gunter. Over the past few years Shanae has found a deep passion for teaching. She has completed, and is certified in, the American Ballet Theatre National Training Curriculum (level one), Progressing Ballet Technique, MuvMethod, and Lisa Howell’s Level One Teacher Training and flexibility course. She has also bought and attended multiple Lisa Howell training courses including: Front Splits Fast, Improve Developpé Devant, A New Approach to Core Control, and Tips for Turnout. Shanae is dedicated to pursuing growth and excellence in her teaching. She is committed to helping her students find excellence not only in dance, but in the lives they live and the people they become.

Sydnee was born and raised in Utah where she started dancing at a young age. She trained at U.A.D.S in many genres including ballet, jazz, hiphop, and lyrical. While dancing there she traveled to many conventions and competed in those genres. She soon realized that she had a passion for ballet and went to train with Ballet West's Connie Burton at Rocky Mountain Ballet where she performed Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and solo variations of Paquita. Growing up Sydnee always had a passion for teaching students. She went on to graduate with her Bachelors degree in Elementary Education.  In 2012 she landed an intern position with SMASH Dance Academy and the rest is history! Sydnee absolutely loves her students and seeing them succeed.  She has continued her dance education through different dance conventions and trainings including Mia Michaels, Lisa Howell, and a certification through Progressing Ballet Technique (PBT). Sydnee loves spending time with her family, traveling, and eating good food!

Gabriela started taking dance classes at three years old and immediately fell in love with it. At age eight she began attending SMASH Dance Academy, where she continued training until she graduated high school. Gabriela became a teacher assistant at age thirteen and started teaching her own classes her senior year of high school. These jobs quickly made Gabriela realize that teaching dance is her passion! She feels very blessed to now be teaching alongside the amazing women that mentored her as she grew up. Gabriela danced on Orem Dance Company at Orem High School for three years. This experience helped her decide to continue studying dance at the collegiate level. Gabriela is currently studying Exercise and Wellness at Brigham Young University and is working on a minor in Contemporary Dance.

Jenna grew up in Anaheim, CA and started dancing at age 3. She trained and competed in all styles except ballroom and hip hop, until in high school she was introduced to a lot of hip hop master classes and really loved it. After choreographing multiple numbers for the dance team in high school as a captain, she and her team performed at the Honda Center in Anaheim with one of her hip hop numbers. She joined BYU Hip Hop Club in 2014 as a way to keep pursuing her passion, while also getting a degree in Stats. She remained a very active member of the club for 4 years, acting as president for one year, and got to choreograph and perform with Gladys Night in Homecoming Spectacular. She joined Smash in 2017 and teaches hip hop to all ages.

Darcie has been dancing her whole life at any given moment. She spent her childhood deep in ballet classes until discovering jazz, contemporary, and hip hop later on. After finding Smash at 16 and falling in love with dancing all over again, Darcie decided to pursue a degree in contemporary dance at Southern Utah University and Utah Valley University. She participated as a member of SUU’s collegiate dance team, and then as a member of the pre-professional company Contemporary Dance Ensemble at UVU. During her time on CDE she worked with world renowned choreographers and professional companies across Utah. Darcie found her way back to Smash as an instructor in 2021, and joined Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company in 2023. 

Summerisa is a graduate of Brigham Young University with a BFA in Music Dance Theatre and a Minor in Ballroom Dance. While attending BYU she served on the Jazz Dance Faculty and toured with the Ballroom Dance Company and Young Ambassadors where she met her husband. She and her husband then moved to NYC and performed professionally as actors for seven years, working with many of the top directors and choreographers in the business. 

She was awarded Best Actress in a Musical by Broadway World for her portrayal of Doralee in the production 9 to 5.  Other favorite roles included Tara u/s in Half Time, Sandy in Grease, Sophie in Mamma Mia, Velma, “Somewhere” Soloist in West Side Story, and DeLee in Smokey Joe’s Café. While living in NYC, they also owned and operated their own performing arts training studio in Manhattan. Summerisa is the founder and full-time as President of the nonprofit organization Harrington Center for the Arts located in American Fork.

Abbi Slade's passion for dance has been evident from a young age, beginning her training at age 3 and her teaching career at age 16. She pursued her dance education at Brigham Young University, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance in 2024. While at BYU, Abbi was a member of the BYU Cougarettes for 4 years and served as the team President during her senior year. While on the team, Abbi was part of winning 5 national championships—two in jazz and three in hip hop—and secured two gold medals at the ICU Worlds in both genres. Since graduating, Abbi has channeled her expertise and love for dance into teaching, focusing primarily on jazz and hip hop.

Skylar grew up in Orem, Utah and has been dancing since she was three years old. She trained at SMASH Dance Academy in ballet, jazz, pointe, contemporary, and hip hop. She had the opportunity to start assisting and teaching classes at a young age. She danced for three years with Orem Dance Company at Orem High School. Skylar is pursuing a BA in Dance at Brigham Young University with a minor in Business. At BYU, she has performed in the improvisational work “Pillowtalk” with Maida Withers and the Contemporary Area Concert. She is a member of the Student Dance Education Organization, and has taught dance at multiple local elementary schools. In 2024 she participated in a field study in Costa Rica where she studied and taught dance in Spanish. She is in her third semester performing with BYU’s dancEnsemble, and has the privilege of choreographing for the second time as well as serving as company President. Skylar has found a passion for teaching and dancing with her students and loves being a part of the SMASH team!

Malena Case began her dance journey at the tender age of three and continued to pursue her passion throughout her childhood and into high school. Discovering a profound love for the creative expression that dance and cheer provided, Malena found joy and fulfillment in these activities. Her affection for children and her dedication to their development led her to a career in teaching. In 2018, she joined the team at SMASH, where she discovered a new passion for educating, inspiring, and mentoring young students. Malena's commitment to fostering a nurturing and dynamic learning environment has made her an invaluable asset to the community, where she continues to share her love for dance with the next generation.

Halle began dancing at the age of two. She grew up at The Dance Club where she trained heavily in jazz, contemporary, lyrical, ballet, tap, hip hop, and acro. In high school, she danced on Timpview’s dance company and served as an officer for two years. In college, she danced on BYU’s Cougarettes and was an assistant for the dance department’s advanced jazz classes. After graduating from BYU, she decided to pursue dance professionally. She is currently going into her 3rd season dancing with the Utah Jazz Dancers and serves as their head dance captain.

Quincey has been at Smash Dance Academy since the doors opened. As a young dancer, she loved being part of an art form and sport that allowed for so much growth and variety. She loves to perform, and has many fond memories dancing in the Smash Spring Shows and Nutcracker Productions. Quincey began assisting at Smash from a young age, and grew to love being on both sides of the studio. In high school, she danced for the Timpanogos Dance Team, serving as Captain senior year. Quincey feels so grateful to help other dancers experience the life-long lessons, experiences, friendships, and memories that Smash built for her!

Hannah is from upstate New York and began dancing at the age of 2. She completed her pre-professional training at Draper Center for Dance Education and began dancing professionally at Rochester City Ballet immediately following her graduation. While dancing, she had opportunities to train, perform, and compete at the national and international level in ballet, neoclassical, contemporary, jazz, and modern. After two seasons, she left New York and moved to Utah to attend Brigham Young University where she is currently completing a BS in Sociology. Her teaching philosophy revolves around connectedness, mindfulness, and self expression as those are the aspects of dance that she feels transcend the studio to help create a whole person. She is very excited to be with SMASH this year and have the opportunity to work with the amazing students and faculty!

Rachel Stewart is from Bluffdale, Utah and started dancing at the age of 2. She received the majority of her dance training at Utah Dance artists in their Conservatory program. In 2022, Rachel started her undergraduate degree in dance at Brigham Young University and joined the Theatre Ballet Studio Company where she has performed in  ballets such as Robyn Hood and Swan Lake. Rachel has trained with professional schools including Ballet West, the Bolshoi Ballet Academy, and Accademia Teatro Alla Scala. Rachel started her teaching journey in 2021 and has loved sharing her love of the art with her students.

Haley Johnson is from Chicago, Illinois. She began her dance training at the Joffrey Academy of Dance. She earned her BFA in dance from the University of Arizona in May of 2018 with Magna Cum Laude. Johnson trained at numerous intensive programs including Orlando Ballet, Houston Ballet, Netherlands Dance Theater, LINES Ballet, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Complexions Contemporary Ballet. Johnson was a selected finalist for the American Choreographic Festival (2017, 2018) and received The Undergraduate Creative Achievement Award from the University of Arizona College of Fine Arts. She was a resident choreographer at US International Ballet as well as a finalist for the 21st Annual McCallum and won 2nd Place at the Rocky Mountain Choreography Festival 2019. Haley had work featured at New Century Dance Project’s Gala Concert. She has been one of the selected women choreographers to create for the Sugar Space: SUITE Women Defining Space Production 2019. Johnson produced an outdoor production, OuterSpace (2020). Johnson created an original work at the SALT Contemporary Dance Youth Summer Intensive of 2021 titled, The Start-Up. In February of 2022, 801 Salon premiered her creation, Falling Up. Haley was a guest performer at Creator’s Grid in February of 2023 at Metro Music Hall. Haley created an original work on Ballet West Academy titled Breath Through Time. Johnson has professionally danced as SALT Contemporary Dance’s principal artist for 6 years. Johnson is currently dancing professionally as a freelance artist and continues to pursue her passion for teaching while working on outside choreographic projects in Utah’s affluent dance community. Haley is enthusiastic about teaching at SMASH Dance Academy!

Chantelle Fitzgerald attended Brigham Young University where she earned her Bachelors of Fine Arts in Dance with an emphasis in Contemporary. While at BYU Chantelle performed on the DanceEnsemble team as well as traveled the world teaching and performing with the Kinect dance team. After graduation Chantelle was hired to dance professionally with Wasatch Contemporary Dance Company and performed with them for one year before moving to Arizona. Chantelle has been teaching at a competitive dance studio in Arizona the past 4 years and is excited to be back teaching at Smash where she taught previously before moving. Chantelle loves dance education and helping dancers gain anatomical knowledge of their bodies for safer movement while fostering creativity and technical strength in dancers.

Spencer grew up in Layton, Utah and began his dance training at age 10. He has always loved exploring movement and training in all forms of technical based dance. As a young dancer Spencer spent many of his weekends away from home taking class and competing at dance conventions across the United States. His first step into the professional world of dance came through an invitation to train and travel through Velocity Dance Convention as a MVA(+) dancer under the direction of Kyle Hanagami. He was honored to be named Utah’s Sterling Scholar in Dance in the year 2020. After graduating high school, he continued his dance training through Divinity Dance Company, a professional company based in Salt Lake City and through study at BYU. Spencer is grateful to teach in such an amazing space. He aims to instill confidence, discipline, and passion into his students at Smash Dance Academy. 

Lucy is from Orem, Utah and grew up dancing at Smash Dance Academy! She danced at the studio for 13 years starting way back in the basement of Ashley Smith, and loved every minute of it! She has found a passion and love for helping students to learn to love their bodies, minds, space and effort. Creating a love for movement and creativity is something she has always loved, and is thrilled to see in students at Smash. Seeing the joy in students when they can feel accomplished in their own work makes it all worthwhile!

Kennedy grew up in Draper, Utah. She began dancing and later cheerleading and tumbling for more than 11 years on competitive all-star, high school, and collegiate level teams. She is on the BYU cheer team right now and is currently majoring in public relations. She has competed for many national/world titles. Kennedy loves helping students reach their highest potential through skills, strength, and confidence. She have coached at various dance, cheer, and tumbling places over the past 5 years and Smash has been her favorite environment!

Tessa grew up in Bluffdale, Utah. She began dancing and tumbling at the age of three and continued these activities for many years. Eventually, her passion for cheerleading took precedence, and she pursued competitive cheer for seven years. After her competitive cheer career, she joined her high school’s varsity cheerleading team and was a two-time UCA All-American. She then moved on to the collegiate level and cheered at BYU. She loved cheering on the cougars as well as learning new skills. She then married Colton, the love of her life. Tessa graduated from BYU with a degree in exercise and wellness and a minor in family life studies. With a strong desire to help others, she started teaching, where she has spent the past three years guiding students in learning new skills. She loves to help students grow and achieve their goals at SMASH! 

McKenna received extensive training at Hi-Light Dance Academy in ballet, jazz, contemporary, lyrical, and hip-hop techniques. She was honored as the Utah State Sterling Scholar of Dance in 2021. Currently pursuing a contemporary dance minor at BYU, McKenna is also an active member of the BYU danceEnsemble performing company. She hopes to instill a deep love and passion for the art form of dance in young dancers.

McKelle was born and raised in Orem, Utah. She  began her dance journey at a young age where she started off as a competitive ballroom dancer before incorporating and switching to other genres of dance. At age thirteen she switched studio’s and started dancing with Smash Dance Academy. She fell in love with not only dancing but her amazing teachers who impacted her dance experience tremendously. In high school, McKelle danced as a member for the Orem Dance Company her junior and senior year. Ever since McKelle was a little girl when you asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up her answer was always “a dance teacher.” After graduating high school in 2019, she started her teacher training through Smash and pursued her dreams of becoming a dance instructor. McKelle finds joy in watching her students learn and grow. She loves how rewarding each class makes her feel and truly enjoys helping children express themselves and build confidence through the art of dance. 

Annie was born and raised in Provo, Utah. She started dancing at the age of 2 at Center Stage Performing Arts in Orem, Utah training and competing in ballet, contemporary, hip-hop, and jazz. When she was 10 she decided to focus solely on ballet and moved to Barlow Arts Conservatory in Pleasant Grove, Utah (now Ballet West) training pre-professionally and competing in various ballet competitions until she graduated high school. Annie has had the opportunity to participate in summer intensives such as ABT, Long Beach Ballet, and La Scala Ballet in Milan, Italy. She is heading into her third year with BYU Theatre Ballet and studying a BFA in Dance. Some of her favorite roles include the Sugar Plum Fairy, Dew Drop, Lise in An American in Paris, Gerald Arpino’s Viva Vivaldi, and Principle Girl in George Balanchine’s Walpurgisnacht. In May of 2024 she became a certified 4Pointe instructor. Annie loves seeing her students grow and is so grateful for the opportunity to teach and share my knowledge of ballet!

Viv started dancing when she was 3 years old and fell in love with classical ballet. She grew up dancing at studios across Utah including Utah Metropolitan Ballet and Classical Ballet Academy. During high school, she began dancing at Smash Dance Academy and was amazed at the safe environment they had created. She finished her high school career dancing at Smash and had the opportunity to explore roles such as Snow Queen, Dew Drop, and Sugar Plum in the Nutcracker. She is now studying Exercise Science at BYU with the hope to learn how to help dancers safely navigate injuries and pain. She is so grateful for the family she has found at Smash, and for the love she has rediscovered for dance. 

Mikenzie is currently finishing up her degree in Dance and History Education at BYU. Her earlier training began at Prodigy Dance Centre and Booker T Washington High School for the Performing Arts in Dallas, TX. She trained intensively in Ballet, Modern/Contemporary, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Latin Ballroom, and Tap, working with many renowned choreographers. She won accolades at competitions nationwide and attended Ballet summer Intensives such as American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, and Kaatsbaan. Mikenzie fell in love with musical theater in college and had the opportunity to perform in Footloose at Sundance in 2021, Fiddler on The Roof at BYU in 2022, and Hello Dolly! at Hale Centre Theatre in 2023. She was also a part of the world-renowned BYU Young Ambassadors from 2022-2024, recently performing a tour through China and at the international Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland. Mikenzie’s film credits include Book of Mormon Videos and five Young Ambassador musical videos. She also loved teaching in elementary schools on BYU’s Kinect Dance Company and recently got to showcase her Senior Choreography, The Epilogue of Life. Mikenzie is passionate about teaching and creating and looks forward to another incredible year at SMASH!

Athena received her Bachelor of Arts in Dance from Brigham Young University, where she focused on contemporary dance. Prior to that, she studied modern dance at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, concentrating on the styles of Horton, Graham, Limón, and Hawkins. While at Brigham Young University, she danced with BYU Kinnect, contributing to the creation of a show for an outreach tour at various elementary schools throughout Utah. She also designed and taught creative dance lessons tailored to Utah K-6 curriculum standards. After her time with Kinnect, Athena joined dancEnsemble as a choreographer and performer. In the BYU Department of Dance, she played a pivotal role as the Dance Major Student Representative President, for which she was recognized with the Outstanding Initiative and Leadership Award. Athena is also heavily involved in the dance photography and dance film community. In the realm of screendance, she has made significant contributions as a cinematographer, editor, director, and producer. Her projects have been featured at universities and festivals, and she is currently working on creating her own professional dance company focusing on screendance.