Janet Smith


JANET SMITH

Janet Smith MBE, Principal, Northern School of Contemporary Dance.

Janet became Principal in February 2012. Prior to that she was Artistic Director of Scottish Dance Theatre (SDT), Scotland’s major contemporary dance company, creating works for the company and also commissioning from both emerging and internationally established choreographers. SDT gained international recognition and won awards, including the Critic’s Circle Award for Best Contemporary Repertoire, and was nationally recognised for pioneering leadership in Arts and Disability.
Prior to leading SDT, Janet held taught at Bretton Hall College and London School of Contemporary Dance, worked widely as a freelance teacher and choreographer and as a guest performer with Rosemary Butcher and London Contemporary Dance Theatre. Choreographic credits include Batsheva (Israel), Frieberg Tanzteater and English National Ballet and in theatre working for directors Dominic Hill and Michael Boyd.
Janet initially began work as a solo choreographer/ performer before forming Janet Smith & Dancers, which toured nationally and internationally over 12 years, commissioning work and delivering residency programmes that broadened access to contemporary dance.
Janet has served on the Boards of Dance UK and London Contemporary Dance Trust. In 1999 she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship from Dartington College of Arts. In 2008 she received the Jane Attenborough Dance UK Industry Award, honouring an individual working in dance who has made an outstanding contribution to the art form and in 2015 was awarded an MBE for services to contemporary dance.


JANET SMITH