Cherlyn Smith

Cherlyn Smith joined Lori Belilove & Company in 1990. She was born in Houston, Texas, where she began dancing at age five, studying and performing there with Rudy Jenkins, James Clouser and Farrell Dyde. She also performed and toured with the Safari Players Mime Troupe, a classical mime company performing repertory by Etienne Decroux.

She received a BFA in dance from the University of Texas at Austin where she recently returned to teach a Duncan class as a "distinguished Alumnae." In Austin, she performed with the Michael Sokoloff Dance Ensemble, and received a CETA grant to teach technique class for the Spectrum Deaf Dance Company, directed by Yacov Sharir.

While in Austin, Cherlyn did a considerable amount of acting, specializing in such Tennessee Williams roles as Maggie in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Bertha in Hello from Bertha and Willie in This Property is Condemned.

In New York, Ms. Smith has studied at the Limon, Muller and Paul Taylor schools. She has trained and worked closely with noted neuromuscular specialist and kinesiologist Irene Dowd for nearly two decades, maintaining a practice of her own through the referrals of profession colleagues. She recently completed several courses of study in Sahrmann Musculoskeletal Balancing, and is certified as a Post-Rehabilitation Fitness Consultant.

She has choreographed for the theatrical productions of the Westbeth Theatre Center, ATA and Manhattan Class Company.

In 1989, Cherlyn was introduced to Lori Belilove's class and felt an immediate connection with the Duncan technique and repertory, and with Ms. Belilove's approach to it. In the Duncan repertory, she felt a balance between freedom and discipline, lyrical and dramatic movement and an unusual combination of tradition and freshness.

In addition to her performance work, Cherlyn is on the teaching faculty of the Duncan Foundation and has assisted Lori Belilove in teaching workshops and master classes in the U.S. and abroad including a residency at Russell Sage College.

Cherlyn currently studies ballet and White Cloud yoga with Pamela Pribisco, acting with Marlena Lustik and has recetnly added piano to her list of endeavors.