Garrett's mother, Tamara Smith, describes her son as very focused and mature. She said many "stage moms" have to push their children to succeed, but she never had to because Garrett always did it on his own. She tries to make sure he stays balanced and offers to let him have opportunities for fulfilling other interests he may have, such as sports.

He became an Eagle Scout by the time he was 13. One time when he was 11 and working on his Arrow of Light, a preliminary award to getting his Eagle, his mother told his dance teacher that he was going to miss a class for it. His teacher got very upset and told Tamara Smith that a child with Garrett's talent needed to be in class. She replied, "I am raising a young man who dances, not a dancer."

Tamara Smith has also tried to keep Garrett from becoming arrogant about his abilities, threatening to pull him out of dance if he became so.

"Because of that insistence on my part that he realize that he has a gift and it's exquisite and God-given and he needs to use it and develop it the best he can, he always makes sure he recognizes whom to thank for it," she said.

One of Garrett's favorite types of dances is improvisation, when he gets to put on music and make up the steps as he goes along.

"Whenever I have the chance to improv, it would be my favorite because you get to dance the way you feel. It's so fun and you can really get into it. It's just a way of getting away from everyday life," he said. "It's the funnest way that you can be an artist because you are an artist yourself."

Along with the title of Teen Male Outstanding Dancer, Garrett was also awarded a full-tuition scholarship to Steps on Broadway and was invited to stay at the School of American Ballet. Garrett spent six weeks this summer participating in the ballet school's summer intensive program, being trained by principle and professional dancers. Because of Garrett's talent, Tamara Smith said many professional companies want him to join their company, but he wants to finish high school first.

Even though Garrett is only 16, he is doing all the work for both his junior and senior years in high school. In addition to his full load of classes, he will have to complete online classes and six additional credits to be able to graduate this year. He will also be traveling to perform and help teach other dancers, as a result of winning his title.

"It will be pretty hard because I will be flying every weekend, but I have confidence within myself," he said.

Even though Garrett's schedule will be very busy, his mother intends to see that he takes care of himself.

"My goal as a parent is to make sure he sleeps," Tamara Smith said, with a chuckle.

---

E-mail: twalquist@desnews.com