West Main Studios

Rachael Smith Allison / Owner & Artistic Director

In the fall of 1996 West Main Studios opened its doors for the first time in Cullman, Alabama and not long after in Madison, Alabama. Madison is now our only location. Founded on a love for dance and a leap of faith, Ms. Rachael and her mother, Ms. Beverly, began this journey together. Owner and Artistic Director, Rachael Smith Allison, began her dance training at age three with the Montgomery Civic Ballet. Rachael attended Agnes Scott College where she auditioned and was accepted into the Studio Dance Theatre, ASC's Semi-Professional Dance Company. This Company performed acclaimed Martha Graham choreographic masterpieces such as, "The Life of the Bee" and "Valse Caprice". Rachael has studied under Master Teachers such as Pilobolus Company, Meli Kaye (Doris Humphrey Company Member), Semi and David Roche (Pearl Lang and Principle Male Dancer respectively of the Martha Graham Company). Rachael has served on Dance Masters of America Chapter 33 Board as Solo Chairman, and has also served as the Director of Education and past director of DMA Solo Competition. 

Rachael is also a Certified National Tap Examiner through Dance Masters of America. Rachael is also a member of Dance Educators of America - a nationally known & respected organization of Dance Teachers. Rachael also serves in the capacity of Artistic Director for WMS Company, and her dancers have placed in Regional and National Dance Competitions. Past seasons include WMS Company scoring technically OVER-ALL for many pieces over the past 26 years. Winning 1st Place in the Petite Solo Division, Dance Educators of America and Dance Masters, 1st Place Over-all Productions, Tap & Lyrical, including special awards for "People's Choice", "Best Choreography" and "Most Creative" recently and in years past. Most recently, at Revel and Artists Simply Human, winning top awards with top soloists in Junior categories, choreography awards and Standout Studio at Artist Simply Human. West Main Studios offers a wide variety of genres' that center around technique and the development of a strong, well rounded dancer. West Main Studios offers Master Classes periodically through the season, but is also extremely proud of our current faculty - Company Co-Directors Scarlett Smith, Mattie Allison and Zailyn Allen. Lead teachers: Stefanie Smith, Ballie Hart, Chloe Holt, Makenzie Evans, Emma Grantham, Anna Chase Allison, Silvie Aumalis, Katelyn Dye and Ashlee Mills. T