A quick study with quick steps, Kayla Smith discovered the wonders of dance and how it has changed her young life.
“It’s been amazing,” said the 15-year-old Smith, a standout performer for Auburn-based Pacific Ballroom Dance. “I am more happy and optimistic. It’s given me something to do, something to look forward to.”
Her tireless work and commitment have allowed a confident and passionate Smith to blossom, socially and athletically. She endlessly studies dance videos. She even finds herself dancing down the aisles of Costco.
“I want to become a professional, national champion,” Smith said with little hesitation. “Ultimately, I want to be a professional dancer with the ‘Dancing with the Stars.’ “
Smith and the large PBD contingent will take to the stage this weekend for the organization’s spring concert, “Dancing Through Life!” Performances for the fundraising event are Friday and Saturday at the Auburn Performing Arts Center.
PBD, a nonprofit organization established 10 years ago, is comprised of local teenagers. The organization recently opened up a new studio in Auburn.
Smith, coupled with 15-year-old Gordon Sabin, has excelled in just her first year of intense competition. The couple have won their share of local competitions, and finished third in the junior high-standard syllabus (waltz/quickstep) division at the U.S. National Amateur DanceSport Championships in Provo, Utah. The March nationals attracted some of the best ballroom formation teams and youth couples in the nation.
In addition, PBD’s youth premier team finished second against 12 other squads with the new standard medley titled “Afrika.” PBD’s Latin team, with its “Feelin’ Good” medley, also performed well, placing third among 16 teams at the nationals.
The Smith-Sabin combination will do the waltz together this weekend, and join other partners to perform an array of dances, both standard and Latin numbers.
“We have built a really good relationship,” Smith said. “We’re like a brother-sister.”
The teens have proven to be a good match on a star-filled PBD cast.
“They have a very good look together – they are tall, elegant,” said Lynne Boudreaux, the couple’s technical coach who also works with many PBD dancers. “They’re very dedicated. They love what they are doing … they have thrown themselves into this.”
Like Smith, dance has brought out the best in Sabin.
“Before dance, I was really self-conscious. It sort of got me out of my shell,” said Sabin, the youngest of four boys who dance. Sabin’s sister, Heather, is currently performing on Brigham Young University’s touring ballroom dance team.
Sabin, who soon will attain his Eagle Scout rank, wants to become a commercial pilot one day. The discipline and structure of dance will help him prepare for the next step.
“It’s about building youth through dance,” Sabin said. “And that’s what they do for you.”
The couple routinely work many hours in the studio to perfect their craft under the watch of Boudreaux and Auburn’s Matt and Heather Longhurst, PBD’s junior premier team directors.
The sky is the limit for the young couple.
“They can take it as far as they want to go as long as they want to work at it,” Boudreaux said. “They’ve stepped in and done the work to be able to perform at upper-level competition.”
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Showtime
• Event:
• Performances: 7:30 p.m. Friday; 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., Saturday
• Venue: Auburn Performing Arts Center, 700 E. Main St.
• Program: About 20 dances, involving four teams, over a two-hour showcase. Program includes nationally-acclaimed medleys, “Afrika” and “Feelin’ Good”.
• Tickets: $15 for the evening shows, $10 for the matinee. Available at the door or PBD studio during early evening hours, 1604 15th St., Suite 109, across from the SuperMall.
• Information: 253-939-6524, www.pacificballroom.org.
