The Wonder Down Under: Meet Mrs Nathalie Smith

As a young performer, she danced ballet on the Sydney Opera House stage and sang with the National Youth Choir, alongside television appearances and multiple music videos.

 

This multidisciplinary mindset was solidified at Bradfield College, a specialized creative industries school. Auditioning into their selective Entertainment program, Smith trained across staging, lighting, sound, and performance alongside peers like Oscar-nominated actress Rose Byrne. This immersion culminated in a major milestone when her graduating choreography was selected for a prestigious statewide showcase at the Sydney Opera House.

 

That same drive carried into her tertiary education. Following a highly competitive audition process, Smith earned her Bachelor’s degree in Performance Theory and Practice (Dance Studies) from the University of Western Sydney. Yet, her training extended far beyond the university classroom; after six hours of daily modern training, she regularly traveled 90 minutes each way to cross-train at the Sydney Dance Company, building a highly adaptable artistic vocabulary.

 

After completing her dance degree, Nathalie expanded her expertise by earning a postgraduate Bachelor of Teaching (Secondary), graduating with Dance as her primary teaching area and English as her secondary specialty. To meet Australia’s rigorous accreditation requirements, she completed extensive teaching internships in both public and private secondary schools, gaining diverse experience before beginning her career as a full-time educator.

 

After teaching at multiple schools throughout Sydney, Nathalie was recruited to join Westall Secondary College in Melbourne. There, she served as Head of Performing Arts, developing and writing the comprehensive curriculum for Theatre Studies, Drama, and Dance for students in Years 7 through 12. In addition to leading the department, she taught Year 12 English, preparing students for university entrance while fostering creativity, critical thinking, and a lifelong appreciation for the arts and literature.

 

Her pursuit of growth eventually extended internationally. In 2008, Smith traveled to Los Angeles to train at the Millennium Dance Complex under leading choreographers like Mia Michaels. This cross-continental journey proved fortuitous in more ways than one; while in California, she reconnected with her now-husband, Matthew Smith, whom she had originally met as a teenager in Sydney. The two married in 2009 and are parents to two sons, Jacksen ‘30 and Kai ‘35. The Smiths have proudly called Lahaina home since 2017.

 

These diverse professional experiences laid the foundation for Nathalie’s educational philosophy, one that combines high academic standards, artistic excellence, and a deep commitment to helping students discover confidence through competency and self-expression.