Dance Training Houston Ballet II Houston Ballet's Ben Stevenson Academy Classical Ballet Academy Jaqueline College School of Ballet
Joined the Company 2009
Favorite Ballet Jiri Kylian's Bella Figura
Defining Moment: I was onstage discussing my choreographic experience through the AFA summer program with Shelly Power and the audience watching my piece that night. Little did I know, it was her surprise to announce that I was the only choreographer that year to be selected by Peter Martins, to receive the award of the New York Choreographic Institute. This was the best surprise I could ask for, and one of my happiest moments thus far. This meant that I had taken yet another big step, to such a great start on my path as a choreographer.
Garrett Smith was born in Salt Lake City Utah. He began his ballet training at age 13 with the Utah Regional Ballet. Garrett danced in the 2002 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremonies, and toured Austria with Utah Regional Ballet in the Young Tanszsommer Dance Festival. Garrett was a national junior, and teen outstanding dancer award winner with New York City Dance Alliance. In 2007 Garrett was a Young Arts award winner for the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts, as a result he was featured in the Off Broadway show titled Breakthrough, where he was presented with an award from Mikhail Baryshnikov. During that year he was named a Presidential Scholar in the Arts and was able to meet George W. Bush at the White House and perform at the Kennedy Center. Mr. Smith has spent summers studying at The School Of American Ballet, The Kirov, Pacific Northwest Ballet, and Houston Ballet. Garrett completed his training with Houston Ballet's Ben Stevensen Academy. He was accepted as a member of Houston Ballet II where he danced and toured with the second company for two years. During his time with Houston Ballet II, Garrett choreographed 4 original works for Houston Ballet II's Repetoire. His third, Den III was taken on a tour for the 4th International Dance Festival in Budapest Hungary. Garrett became a member of Houston Ballet in 2009. Garrett has enjoyed performing a variety of roles with the company. His highlighted repertoire includes an original role in Jorma Elo's One/End/One, the Male Flower in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker, Puss n Boots in Stevenson's The Sleeping Beauty, and Hortensio in John Cranko's Taming of The Shrew. During his time in the company, Garrett was awarded the New York Choreographic Institute Fellowship. As part of this award and accomplishment, Garrett choreographed a new ballet entitled Vivacious Dispositions for Houston Ballet, which was later performed in Houston Ballet's Gala.
