The Center of Dance is located in Blacksburg, Virginia in the New River Valley of the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains. The professional dance studio was established in August of 1994. The Founder and Artistic Director is Carol Crawford Smith, a former dance artist and soloist of ten years with the internationally renowned Dance Theatre of Harlem. As a professional performer, instructor, and educator of dance for nearly 30 years, Crawford Smith is dedicated to providing opportunities and venues to experience excellence in the art of dance.

The Center of Dance faculty is a team of qualified professionals who master the art of teaching safe and inclusive dance and movement techniques to children and adults. Instruction is available in Ballet, Jazz, Afrocentric Movement, Fundamentals of Dance, Jazz Tap Dancing, Yoga, African Dance and Drumming, and more.

The Center of Dance has two resident dance companies, UJIMA (eclectic dance) under the direction of Carol Crawford Smith, and Footnotes (tap dance) under the direction of Ann Kilkelly. Both companies perform, lecture, and instruct locally and regionally for school and community groups. Performances and engagements are available upon request.