Janica Smith began her ballet training at Capitol Ballet Center in Sacramento, California, under the direction of Stuart Carroll and Sharon Newton. She continued her training at summer intensive programs with San Francisco Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and City Ballet of San Diego.

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In 2002, Janica joined City Ballet of San Diego under the direction of Steven and Elizabeth Wistrich, where she performed leading and principal roles including Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Kitri in Don Quixote, Tinker Bell in Peter Pan, Carmen in Carmen, Odette/Odile in Swan Lake, and Nikiya in La Bayadere. She also performed principal roles in George Balanchine's Rubies, Apollo, Divertimento No. 15, Agon, La Source, Concerto Barocco, and Serenade.

 

In 2012, Janica joined Smuin Ballet in San Francisco under the direction of Celia Fushille, where she performed works by Michael Smuin, Helen Pickett, Trey McIntyre, Amy Seiwert, and Adam Hougland. During her professional career, she also participated in the 10th International Ballet Competition and Contest of Choreographers in Moscow, Russia, and New York City. Following her retirement from professional ballet in 2014, Janica became a Certified Pilates Instructor and later earned her nursing degree. She currently works as an emergency department registered nurse while continuing to share her extensive professional experience as a ballet instructor.