Alumni and Friends Directory
Ashley Smith
Title: Founder, Co-owner
Company: Smash Dance Academy, Utah Jazz
Huntsman School Interactions:
Entrepreneur Leadership Series Speaker - September 15, 2021
Biography
Ashley Smith was born to move. She grew up in Las Vegas and began dancing at age 7. Her credentials are on point: Royal Academy of Dancing Ballet Curriculum; International Society of Tap Dancing Curriculum; a dancer at BYU; a certified RAD trained teacher; a certified American Ballet Theater teacher. In 2007, she opened a studio in her basement and in 2011, that smashing success of a studio moved to the Riverwoods in Provo where multiple dance genres are taught to 600-plus students.
Smith is dedicated to dance and to Utah Valley — but too often she sees dancers moving to the coasts for work. Smith is creating an environment where the best-trained dancers in the world can stay right here at home in Utah, bustin’ a move and living their dance dreams. She and her husband, Ryan Smith (Qualtrics CEO and co-founder), are also owners of the Utah Jazz and stay in sync as they raise children and work on their businesses together.
Videos:
Entrepreneur Leadership Series: Ashley Smith (2021)