My name is Kevin Smith, and I have just recently moved to Northwest Arkansas (living in Fayetteville, near the University of Arkansas campus), and I would love to bring ballroom dancing to this area. 

 

I have been ballroom dancing since I was twelve, and have been a dance instructor for over nine years.  I am certified by the National Dance Council of America and Dance Vision International Dance Association as both a competitor and instructor.  During my time as a ballroom dance instructor, I have competed all over the United States in both Pro-Am and Professional circuit competitions.  Over the years I have worked with National and International champion ballroom dancers like Jean-Marc Generaux, Ron Montez, Kathryn Shafer, and Fellipe' & Carolina Telona. 

 

I have performed in stage shows and musicals, and  have danced beneath the Eiffel Tower, on a moving train headed towards Switzerland, and on a sandy beach in Southern California.  I even recently had the fantastic opportunity to Salsa with hundreds of others in New York City on a Halloween Costume Cruise in the harbor circling the Statue of Liberty!

 

While I love to compete and perform, my real love is teaching!  I have taught hundreds of individuals, couples and group classes over the years and never once have I heard somebody tell me that it was as hard as they had first thought.

 

Besides ballroom, I do have a few unusual hobbies.  My first job actually wasn't as a ballroom instructor, but as a magician at a theme park.  While I have been ballroom dancing for much of my life I actually started doing magic at a much earlier age.  I'm not exactly sure when I first began doing tricks, but I do have a picture that shows m e doing a magic show for my preschool class!

 

I also juggle balls, knives, and (very recently) torches.  It doesn't matter what objects I'm working with, I love getting those things in the air!  I own 4 different sizes of unicycle, 3 sets of throwing knives and more toys for playing with fire than my mommy would feel comfortable knowing about.  I am, however, still looking for a straight jacket if anybody knows where I might be able to find one :)