Stefanie Smith
Dancer/Cafe con Leche

Stefanie is a Northern Virginia native - at least after having been born in Maine. She is our own 'Cafe con Leche' having been born into African-American and Italian ancestry and as you can see - it is a beautiful combination! But make no mistake, Stef is a Latina en su corazon!

Stefanie has been dancing rueda since October of 2006. After having taken a three year break from dancing and teaching, she felt the need to be close to the arts. She attended a ballroom dancing competition in October 2006 and perked up when she saw rueda. Like anyone who has just seen people having the time of their life, she signed up for classes and was instantly hooked. Stefanie joined SAOCO in April of 2007 and never looked back!

Her dancing life started at 5 years old and continued through the years having studied and taught ballet, tap, rhythm tap, jazz, lyrical and a little modern and hip hop but rhythm tap holds a special place in her heart. She also danced and performed with DC Dance Collective's adult tap company when she was 19 (like 2 years ago going by how young she looks).

"Everything" is basically the answer to what Stefanie enjoys doing outside of dancing. Specifically - anything to do with the arts and music (she fiddles on the keyboard and guitar - maybe a rockstar in the making!). She also has the best laugh in SAOCO and once we hear it, we all need to laugh with her because it is so contagious - just like her smile!