Tracey Smith

Tracey started taking dance classes at the young age of 4 locally until age 8. She then transferred to the Wilkes-Barre area to study other genres of dance along with extensive ballet training under the original director and instructor, David Blight. There she studied weekly ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop and technique. NYC ballet instructors were brought in regularly for training along with extensive workshops.

Attending multiple state competitions throughout her entire career, she won multiple titles such as Overall Decathalon Winner, Overall Duo awards, multiple perfect score awards, and Highest Scoring Tap Soloist for many years.

She was asked to perform at the Hersheypark Arena for the summer by the age of 10, performing daily in their shows in addition to many other performances in her schedule.

By the age of 12 she was instructing with her older sister and opened a small dance studio out of their home, Dancing Unlimited, which then expanded to the Weatherly with two additional branches. She instructed all ages up to 18 years of age during this time.

When her older sister relocated, she started teaching locally again at the age of 16 and became very active within her community. By the age of 17, Tracey was choreographing plays for local theaters and schools and was also involved in many Bob Sacco Productions where she played small roles and assisted with choreography. She enjoyed making the plays come to life and had a full schedule of dance and instructing. She was also head choreographer for her old middle school cheer squad at this time and Hazelton Area High School cheerleaders. Unable to have time to cheer herself, she stayed involved by choreographing and assisting when she was able.

Tracey is a 1995 graduate of Hazleton Area High School. Immediately following graduation she auditioned and was given a full scholarship to Allentown St. Francis De Salles but due to her father falling ill with cancer decided to stay back and attend Penn State Hazleton where she received an Associate Degree in business. She continued to take classes and attend workshops throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania during this time and still instructed locally.

Tracey’s Academy of Dance (TAOD) was established in 2002 when she decided to open the studio and continue to instruct in the Hazleton Area. Following it’s founding she coached cheer as well for many organizations including Crestwood, Freeland, and Valley Chiefs for nine years. After leaving Chiefs cheerleading she stayed on board to assist in their dance routines until starting her own cheer squads within the studio. This will be TAOD’s the 20th season!