September 18 2018: China Smith

Founding Executive Director, Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance Company

China Smith felt there was a void in east Austin's arts community. Being an East Austin native, she wanted to give back to her community, expose children to the arts, and give students the tools they need to succeed in life. Working against stereotypes and misconceptions of African-American culture, the concept of Ballet Afrique was born in 2008 to offer East Austin youth an opportunity to experience the richness of their own culture through the arts alongside other beautiful cultures represented in Austin. From that vision grew Ballet Afrique Contemporary Dance Company, a positive and nurturing environment that includes a dance academy, a professional dance company, a youth dance ensemble, and community dance classes.

The company's contemporary dance style is heavily influenced by African movement to visually link the music – such as folk classical jazz, blues, Caribbean, or Afro Latin – to its African ancestry. The energy and grace inherent in Black cultures, as well as the cultural significance of the music, are the driving forces behind the company's repertoire.