Today we’d like to introduce you to Bilal Smith.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started dancing at the age of 14 after getting accepted into the Baltimore School for the arts for dance. I wanted to highschool experience where I was welcomed to embrace my individuality and I wouldn’t be judged or picked on like I was in middle school for being gay.
After 5 yrs at the school including years of summer training at prestigious ballet programs I embarked on a journey to pursue career in dance.
At first I thought I’d go to university but I couldn’t afford even though I did get accepted at University of North Carolina School for the arts .
So halfway through my 1st year of community college I decided to start auditioning for dance companies. Through auditions I landed at Nashville Ballet summer intensive where I thought I’d join the company but it didn’t turn out to be the right fit . So back home I went then I went to audition for Dance Theatre Harlem where I would soon start as a student in their professional training program for a year.
After that I went back home to Baltimore to prepare to audition again for companies and perform with local schools in the community .
I auditioned for Carolina Ballet summer intensive where I was offered a full scholarship at your end of the intensive I was offered an apprenticeship. Then later that year I received a corps contract .
In fall of 2021 I was promoted to soloist . I took my last bow with the company in April of 2025
Now I’m preparing to move to NYC to continue my career in the Big CITY
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The struggles mainly came from finances not always having the means to get to auditions but always finding help from friends and family.
Other issues came from the doubt and fear that can sometimes cause you to want to give up . Sometimes the environment isn’t healthy place to grow but you have to push past it and focus on your dreams.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Dancer I specialize in moving and telling a story through dance . Ballet is usually what I’m known for: I’m proud of myself for making it this far.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
You’ve got to take risks. Not everything has a definite answer atleast not an answer that you can see immediately. You’ve got to have a vision of where you want to go and then put energy into that. It’s not just going to happen with work.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @bilalshakur93
- Other: bilalsmith93@gmail.com
