

Naomi Smith TCRG
Naomi's dance journey began at the tender age of five when she passionately requested her first pair of dance shoes. Her family's rich heritage spans four generations of Irish dancers, with roots tracing back to Mullingar, Co. Westmeath, Graffy, Co. Mayo, and Castleisland, Co. Kerry. If you happen to find yourself in Co. Kerry, make sure not to miss the opportunity to visit The Good Table of Castleisland, a cherished family-operated establishment renowned for serving the finest Irish Breakfast in town.
As an accomplished competitive soloist and team dancer, Naomi not only qualified but also competed multiple times at prestigious events including the Western U.S. Regional Championships, North American Championships, and World Championships. In 2016, she had the honor of captaining the first-ever choreography team to represent Utah at the World Championships held in Glasgow, Scotland. Over a remarkable span of 26 years, she has immersed herself in the culture and tradition of Irish Dance, gracing thousands of stages across Utah, the United States, and internationally.
Naomi's journey into teaching began in 1996 when she assumed an assistant teaching role with Rinceoiri Don Spraoi Irish Dancers, known for their performance-centered approach. At the age of 15, Naomi founded the award-winning Crinna Hill Irish Dancers and Band. Her talents have taken her to diverse stages, including a memorable performance at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, collaborations with the Trinity Irish Dancers of Chicago, the Eileen Ivers Band featuring Tarik Winston, Ballet Utah, and appearances at corporate and private events, even touring in Ireland.
In addition to her dance prowess, Naomi has a musical side, sharing the stage with both local and nationally recognized artists. She even took on the role of composing music and lyrics for her band and, as a vocalist and keyboardist, created a full-length album titled "Worlds of Ice" before securing a recording contract with River Ranch Records in 2005.
Naomi's artistic journey extended to classical training in Ballet under the guidance of the esteemed Jacqueline School of Ballet. She graced multiple casts at Brigham Young University (BYU) and Utah Valley University (UVU), leaving her mark on beloved productions such as "The Nutcracker," "La Coquette," and "Hansel and Gretel." Expanding her repertoire further, Naomi pursued studies in Jazz, Lyrical, and Tap at Encore Dance Academy.
Today, Naomi takes immense pride in her role as a devoted mother to Dallen and Rorey, both of whom have earned the prestigious title of World Placing Champion Irish dancers. Alongside her family life, she is nearing the completion of a BS in Marketing at BYU, with a Fine Arts Minor in Cultural Dance, and holds certificates in Social Media Marketing and Global Business. Beyond her dance and academic pursuits, she continues to maintain a thriving design and photography portfolio, relishes outdoor exploration, and cherishes quality time spent with her loved ones.
With an extensive history spanning over three decades within Utah's Irish community, Naomi brings a wealth of experience and expertise to both the performing arts and the competitive Irish Dance sphere. Her certification in Ennis, Ireland, in 2018 underscores her unwavering dedication, and she holds registered membership in An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha, the IDTANA Irish Dance Teachers Association of North America, Western U.S. Region, and the National Folk Organization.