LeAnne Smith is a Professor of Dance at Texas State University where she has been a faculty member since 1983. Directing the program for 13 years, she is delighted to be back to full time teaching. She serves as the Artistic Director for Opening Door Dance Theatre, founded with Karen Earl and Sandy Rodriquez in 1984. A graduate of Case Western Reserve University, LeAnne has danced the works of Erick Hawkins, Wendy Hambidge, Louis Kavouras, Michelle Nance, and Shay Ishii, among others. Her choreography has been presented throughout the United States, San Jose/Costa Rica, Edinburgh/Scotland, Giessen/Germany, Paris/France, and Athens/Greece. Somatic Studies are a vital part of LeAnne’s ongoing practical research, especially in the field of Body Mind Centering™. A recipient of the Texas State Presidential Award for Scholarly/Creative Activities, LeAnne recently served on the Academic Course Guide Manual Committee for the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. LeAnne continues to choreograph and perform as a member of Shay Ishii Dance Company, and  in collaboration with the Erick Hawkins Dance Foundation, works to maintain the Hawkins’ archives as a founding member of Hawkins West.