Lauren Smith has been dancing throughout her life, and started swing dancing in 2007, when a friend brought her to LA’s Lindy Groove. After that, she could be found dancing almost every night of the week, competing regularly, and teaching locally and around the world.

Lauren has taught at Balboa on the River (Australia), Minor Swing (Sweden), Edinburgh Balboa and Shag Festival (Scotland), and Big Sky Weekend (USA), to name a few, and has headlined events across Europe, Australia, and the United States. She specializes in jazz era dances, including Lindy Hop, Balboa, Charleston, Collegiate Shag, and Slow Jazz. Her degree in vocal music education allows her to bring a unique approach to classes, incorporating natural musicality, body efficiency, and Alexander method techniques. Lauren regularly competes as both a lead and a follow, and has won and placed in a number of dance competitions, including Hot Rhythm Holiday, Camp Hollywood, the Lone Star Championships, Inspiration Weekend, Le Hot Sauce, and many others. She is also a sought after competition judge. Lauren has been a DJ at several notable events, including The Snowball, Bal-Ast Off!, The Balboa Experiment, Balboa on the River, and Big Sky Weekend, and many other events around the world.