GRADUATE STUDENT PROFILES

Tom Vacanti, 2004

"At Smith, I gained a thoughtful approach to dance -- taking nothing for granted. Always addressing the intent and meaning behind movement has made me a better artist and teacher. I learned to work with integrity and with an openness to new ideas and concepts about dance. Every day I am inspired to pass on these values to the students and dancers I work with. Smith has been an invaluable part of my education and life as an artist."

Since graduating from Smith, Thomas Vacanti has been directing and choreographing for many dance companies. He has premiered ballets at the North Carolina School of the Arts, City Ballet (Raleigh, NC), The Academy of Performing Arts (Cape Cod), and the Pioneer Valley Ballet Company. In 2005 Tom was named artistic director of the Pioneer Valley Ballet Company. Together with co-director Maryanne Delisle Kodzis (Smith MFA '97), they have made the Pioneer Valley Ballet Company a vibrant dance company that serves the Pioneer Valley and all of western Massachusetts. In 2006 Tom was appointed as full time lecturer in dance at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and is also adjunct faculty at Amherst College.