AUSTIN, Texas — Ballet Afrique founder China Smith has been creating a safe space for Black dancers in East Austin for the last 17 years.
Her ballet technique classes have all the makings of traditional ballet classes but with one caveat – the music. She teaches ballet techniques to traditional African music.
“I like to connect the two and bring both into, mostly bringing the cultural significance of African dance into the ballet world, so that it makes sense in our bodies and how we move it,” Smith said.
Growing up, Smith didn’t always feel at home at the ballet barre.
“When you are a ballerina and you are brown, sometimes, you’re the only one in the room,” Smith said.
In her childhood ballet classes, they played “classical” music, but Smith points out, it was only classical to some dancers.
“Classical can mean lots of different things,” Smith said. “It might be classical in this part of the world, but it is not the all, be all in the classical music. Classical can be from any country.”
That’s why she wanted to create a studio for young dancers that she was never able to experience growing up. The blend of contemporary and ballet classes mix in traditional African movement and music.
Parents like Eddie Blackwell, who’s been bringing his daughter to learn from Smith for about five or six years, says her dedication to her dancers is what makes this place so special.
“Her passion for art, for the culture of the community, specifically the Black community … For my daughter. I wanted those same things,” Blackwell said. “I also wanted strength, confidence in her ability to express herself, and then also be around other girls that are looking to do the same thing.”
Apart from ballet, the dancers also train in traditional African dance with live drums. It gives dancers the space to explore their dance technique while also pride in their cultural history.
“It’s just like my home,” said Smith’s daughter Soli Lott. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else or doing anything else, so for me, it’s just like part of who I am.”
Over the years, Smith has been recognized for everything she’s been doing for young Black dancers in Austin.
“She’s a pillar for the community,” Blackwell said. “Black history is American history, so she’s a part of that.”
It’s something Smith says she could have never expected.
“I had no idea when I started this, what the outcome was going to be, so yeah, I’m very proud of it,” Smith said.
With East Austin experiencing much growth, her hope for the future is that people will continue to not only keep dancing at Ballet Afrique but also go out to see performances.
“It’s for everybody to share, it’s not just for Black people,” Smith said. “It’s for Black people to show the beauty of their culture so that we can change the world…If we appreciate the arts, then we are all appreciating each other.”