LISA SMITH

Lisa Smith is a grateful woman. She would like to thank her husband Mickey, Colleen McCarty, Susan Autran, Juilane Patterson, Susana Waimin, Michelle Curley, Bonnie Davis, Doug Meyer, Mario de la Nuez, Cymbria Hess, Heather Britt, Planet Dance, Tom Blumena, John Burgess and all of the other wonderful people who have shared their expertise and lovely spirits with The Living Dance Project. This project began while Lisa was recovering from groin lymphadenectomy surgery and undergoing adjuvant biotherapy treatment for malignant melanoma. The April 18, 2008 performance is the first in a fundraiser event series to benefit LIVESTRONG, The Lance Armstrong Foundation. Much earlier in life, Lisa trained in classical ballet, jazz and tap in private studios and in local universities; she worked as a children's ballet instructor before she was old enough to drive a car. Lisa had returned to dance for fun and spiritual reasons just prior to her cancer diagnosis, and she was determined to continue regardless of the ways sugery changed her body. Lisa also has undergraduate and doctoral degrees in psychology and clinical social work. Her clinical practice and research has focused on body image and eating problems; she specializes in behavioral health services for bariatric populations. Lisa and Mickey are the parents of three adult daughters and are eagerly awaiting the birth of their second grandson.