Claire Smith began her training in Philadelphia at the Rock School for Dance Education under Bo and Stephanie Spassoff before moving to the School of Pennsylvania Ballet. While there, she performed with the company as Marie in George Balanchine’s “The Nutcracker” for two seasons, and in Angel Corella’s “Don Quixote.” Claire then went on to train at Ballet Academy East in New York City, performing lead roles in original works by Marcia Dale Weary, Caili Quan, Gilbert Bolden III, Jenna Lavin, and Christopher Charles McDaniel, as well as Swanhilda in Roger Van Fleteren’s “Coppelia," “Russian Girl” In George Balanchine’s “Serenade,” and the soloist role in George Balanchine’s “La Source.” During her time at Ballet Academy East, Claire was very lucky to have received support from the Angel Shine Foundation. Claire then spent two years as a pre-professional trainee with the Carolina Ballet, dancing in Zalman Raffael’s “The Nutcracker,” “Cinderella,” “The Little Mermaid,” and “Swan Lake,” as well as Jerome Robbin’s “Fanfare.” Claire is very excited to begin her next chapter at Syracuse City Ballet!