AUSTIN, Texas — As part of KVUE’s celebration of Black History Month, we met up with China Smith, the founder of Ballet Afrique, a contemporary dance studio in East Austin that offers classes in African, ballet and modern dance.
Growing up in East Austin, Smith’s family sparked her love for the performing arts – especially dance.
“Any time there was a gathering, there was dancing,” Smith said. “Every morning when I woke up, my dad was singing to me. Even if it’s just clapping gestures, these are things that are passed down to us.”
But when she started taking classes at the high school level, she questioned if dance was for her.
“The way I moved my body might be interpreted as wrong or too strong or too bold,” Smith said. “Micro-aggressive experiences … start to impact how you feel about yourself.”
Despite those experiences, she stuck with dance and founded Ballet Afrique in 2008. Her original intent was to start a professional dance company comprised of mainly Black dancers. In doing so, she ultimately created a safe, nurturing space for young Black dancers.
“Everything I’ve done has been to try to validate their worth,” Smith said.
Now, her students don’t just dance in the studio. They also perform Duke Ellington’s version of "The Nutcracker" at the Paramount Theatre, an Austin staple. The traditional "Nutcracker" takes place in a mansion, but Ellington’s version happens in a small apartment.
“It’s just to show that dreams and fantasy and dancing and smiles don’t have to take place in mansions and rich spaces,” Smith said. “It can really take place anywhere. Anywhere you go, you are the art. Wherever you’re going is where the joy and liveliness is.”
To learn more about Ballet Afrique, visit the company's website.