Amanda Smelser is the Director of the Creative Arts Program at FCA, she also serves as our K-12 dance teacher.
Amanda’s dance journey began at the Post School of Ballet (now Star City Ballet) in Salem, Virginia, under the guidance of Terri Post. She honed her skills with Southwest Virginia Ballet and Roanoke Ballet Theatre before transitioning into teaching at just 18 years old. Amanda expanded her experience internationally with Celtic Rose, a Scottish dance company based in St. Andrews, and continued her studies at Radford University. There, under esteemed faculty like Inessa Plekhanova, Bob Boross, and Danah Bella, she mastered diverse dance styles including Vaganova ballet, Horton technique, jazz, and modern dance.
She earned her undergraduate degree from Roanoke College and furthering her academic pursuits, she completed her master’s degree at Hollins University under the mentorship of Jeffrey Bullock. Her teaching career spans nearly 25 years across Virginia and North Carolina, including significant tenures at Roanoke Ballet Theatre and her own studio, The Ballet Academy.
Amanda’s choreographic repertoire is extensive, featuring numerous original works like children’s ballets inspired by beloved storybook characters and a Christmas ballet titled “The Magic Toyshop.” She has also staged classical ballet masterpieces such as “The Nutcracker,” “Giselle,” “Coppélia,” “Sleeping Beauty,” and “Paquita,” showcasing her dedication to both tradition and innovation in dance education and performance.
She has spent the last 7 years at Faith Christian Academy in Burlington, where she established and leads a thriving performing arts program. Her curriculum blends classical ballet, modern, and jazz with creative movement, musical theatre, and tap, enriching the school community with vibrant performances such as “Mary Poppins” and “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella,” which she directed. Amanda believes in the importance of physical education for fostering a healthy body and mind. Her classes at Faith Christian Academy not only explore the art of creative movement and dance but also focus on developing motor skills, coordination, focus, and encouraging imagination in her students.
