STORM IMANI SMITH

Storm Imani Smith began training in jazz, ballet, and contemporary dance as a preadolescent at Step 1 Dance and Fitness in Sacramento, California under the direction of instructors such as Nikki Burgis, Samuel Fulk, Angela Franklin, Nhan Ho, and Naimah Kisoki. She competed locally as a dancer for Step 1’s contemporary dance company, directed by Nikki Burgis.

Taking a break from dance during her first few of years of college, Storm eventually returned to the performing arts at California State University, Sacramento. She continued her training in various styles under the instruction of Linda Bair Falk, Lorelei Bayne, Bernard Brown, Megan Brunsvold Mercedes, Philip Flickinger, Samuel Fulk, and Nichol Lazenby. Throughout university, Storm performed for Sacramento State’s University Dance Company’s showcase, as well as for Sacramento Black Art of Dance. In her senior year, she was selected to represent Sacramento State at the American College Dance Association’s 2023 regional conference, performing the choreography of Nichol Lazenby. Since graduating with a bachelor’s degree in dance with a minor in English, Storm has performed as a guest artist with the Linda Bair Dance Company and is currently in her second season with TwoPoint4 Dance Theatre.

Outside of dance, Storm works as an Instructional Assistant at a Los Rios Writing Center. There, she tutors college students in writing across all subjects and oversees tutorial services to advance student success—in addition to helping foster community in the Writing Center.

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