Student Profile
Vitals:
Name: Ashley Smith
Graduation Year: 2010
Hometown: Boston
Major: Dance and Theater
Weekend Activity: Dance, spend time with friends, go to the movies
Ashley Smith is a two time world champion Irish step dancer majoring in Dance and Theater at Manhattanville. She has participated in the 2008 World Championships of Irish Dance which was held in Belfast, Ireland. “The Worlds are like the Olympics for Irish dancers,” Ashley explained. “You compete with athletes from other countries, and you must win or place in preliminary competitions along the way, such as regionals and nationals in order to qualify for Worlds.”
At the 2008 championships in Belfast there were close to 200 of the best female dancers competing in Ashley’s age group. After two rounds of hard and soft shoe dance half of the girls were cut. The third and final round was a solo routine where the medal holders are chosen. This year Ashley won third place, and was the top American dancer at the competition.
There are also other perks to winning competitions besides getting the title. “As you win more competitions you build a reputation for yourself and more people know who you are and what you can do,” said Ashley. “Many winning dancers will receive offers to perform in theatrical shows and the more wins you have under your belt the more likely you are to be offered a lead role.”
Ashley has been dancing since she was three years old and entered her first World Championship competition when she was ten. When she was sixteen she became the youngest American to ever win a World Championship title, and she came back the following year to claim the championship title a second time. “It was such an honor to compete with so many world class dancers,” she said. “Winning the title was a dream come true for me. However I know I could not have come so far without having the help and support of my friends and family.”
Although she is from Boston, Ashley decided to attend Manhattanville because she liked the idea of small classes where she could get training in other types of dance without having to go to a large conservatory. “I have never had training in ballet, modern, or hip-hop until I came here,” she said. “I have since become a well rounded dancer which will help me when I go out to audition for different companies, as choreographers are always looking for something new.”
Ashley’s training regimen is intense, with practice four days a week for 3 to 4 hours. As competitions get closer, she will practice up to six days a week. Although Ashley trains with her parents who are also dance coaches, she will occasionally work with a dance coach from Ireland in order to stay on top of the latest developments in the genre. “Irish dancing is like fashion,” Ashley explained. “The steps and styles are always changing so you need to do what it takes to ensure that you are always up to speed for the competitions.”
Ashley’s studies at Manhattanville include a minor in Communications and she is also interested in global studies and awareness. After graduation she hopes to perform in theater or with a dance troupe. She also has ambitions to start her own dance company one day. “My father is a choreographer, and he really inspires me to always use my imagination. I like the idea of combining theater with all types of dance. Soon I hope to make my dreams a reality.”
Ashley would like to thank her parents, as well as her teachers and the Manhattanville community for their continued support.