In the heart of Grand Rapids’ Alger Heights neighborhood, a different kind of arts center is inspiring residents from all walks of life with its mix of rhythm, creativity and passion.
Since 2004, Over the Top Academy of Dance has been a welcoming and fun space where dancers of all ages are taught and encouraged to express themselves. But this is more than just a dance school. For Jennifer Smith, the Academy’s visionary owner, Over the Top is the embodiment of community, growth and empowerment through the arts.
With a story that’s deeply intertwined with her own dance journey, Smith’s partnership with Thrive + Prosper reveals how she is using her entrepreneurial spirit to transform lives in Alger Heights.
Early Steps Empower a Leap of Faith
Smith first set foot in the building that now houses Over the Top at just four years old, when she began taking dance lessons at the Jon T Dance Arts Center. The center quickly became a haven of creativity and positivity for her, even at that young age.
Smith reflects back on that time in her life with compassion and gratitude. “Being involved in dance got me into the space where I could discover what I was good at and the structure to work towards the goal of a recital and things like that.”
The experience also gave her opportunities she hadn’t had before, like exposure to other cultures through travel. “It kind of opened my eyes to what was outside of Grand Rapids, and a lot of times we have to get a different perspective to dream bigger.”
And dream bigger she did. Over the years, Smith deepened her involvement at Jon T Dance Arts Center, first as a student and then as a young dance instructor. Recognizing her natural leadership abilities, the center’s owners offered her the chance to take over the business upon their retirement, when she was only 18 years old. After two years of college, she accepted their offer and left school behind to take over the studio full time.
Stepping into business ownership at such a young age might sound overwhelming to most, but for Smith, it was a leap of faith grounded in passion. “I really wanted to be a teacher and was passionate about early childhood education and kids. So, I was like, ‘Oh, I could turn this idea of this dance studio into my passion for kids and teaching like I'm doing now,’” she reflects. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but what I was really doing was stepping into entrepreneurship.”
Teaching Movement, Cultivating Excellence
Set up for success by the previous studio owners, Smith had the financial foundation and confidence she needed to make the business her own. She renamed the studio Over the Top Academy of Dance as a nod to a tap dance move, but also to reflect her overarching vision of developing well-rounded individuals and helping them exceed expectations through the art of dance.
Seeing that Grand Rapids was missing a dance school of that caliber, Smith moved to create a performance competition team at Over the Top. “I wanted to give people the opportunity to put their art on stage against other talented dancers,” says Smith. “It requires a lot of skills training and a lot of very intense mentoring.” It also takes a high level of commitment and dedication, adds Ajamu Bernard, the Academy’s general manager. “When you see somebody dancing, any shape they've made like that took years to perfect. Everything they do is a combination of ballet and training and athleticism.”
But high-level technical performance is only one aspect of Smith’s vision. Her true goal is to help people foster a leadership mentality by learning skills that will enable them to succeed in every part of life. “The reason you want to hire a dancer or maybe a high-end athlete is because of everything they had to go through — the discipline, the organization, the desire and the management of their time. Those are really life skills, you know.”
Tapping into a Culture of Belonging
Ultimately, Smith strives to create a space where every dancer is seen for their unique gifts and supported in growing to the next level. That’s why individuality, expression and trust are central to how the Academy operates. “We lean into each person’s abilities so people have a place where they can just be who they are,” says Smith. “Plenty of dance schools offer tap, ballet, jazz and everything else that we offer, but we really want people to feel comfortable as a unit, like we’re all part of the same culture.”
And Smith believes a culture of belonging allows people to feel free to express themselves more fully. “We don't really do anything special besides just be ourselves, but that in and of itself is what attracts so many different types of people to us.”
Indeed, a welcoming and creative spirit is a big reason why dancers of all ages keep coming back to the Academy. In fact, one of Over the Top’s big success stories post-COVID has been adult programming, particularly adult tap classes. These sessions have created a way for adults to escape the daily grind through movement and connection. “Where else are a retired nurse, a young professional and a stay-at-home parent all doing time steps together?” Smith laughs. The classes are less about perfect form and more about joy, release and community. For many, it’s a healthier and more fulfilling alternative to typical nightlife.
Raising the Bar With Thrive + Prosper
Even with the success of Over the Top, Smith has never stopped looking for opportunities to evolve her business and transform her community. The school’s evolution took a powerful turn when she discovered Thrive + Prosper through a chance meeting at a networking event. After the COVID-19 pandemic, she sought support to expand the Academy’s offerings and fill a critical gap in local arts education. Through Thrive + Prosper’s Opportunity Empowered Grant, Smith pitched and launched “Actor for an Afternoon,” a workshop that serves as both a standalone experience and a gateway into a full summer theater camp.
“This isn’t just any summer camp,” says Smith. “We have a musical theater expert on staff, but we also put the kids to work as directors, choreographers and stage managers.” These skills help students develop critical skills in stagecraft, organization and teamwork.
What’s more, the camp allows Over the Top to reach more students whose talents might not have been uncovered in a traditional dance studio.“The theater aspect has really helped us expand our reach,” Smith explains. “It also brings out crossover skills — there were kids who were good dancers and we found out that they're really good singers, too.”
Beyond performance, Smith says the camp has become a site of emotional development, learning and leadership growth. “We’re not just teaching kids how to act or dance. We’re showing them what it means to work together, lead and be part of something bigger.”
A Leader on the Move
Smith continues to tap into her entrepreneurial energy, passion for health and love for community to manifest those bigger things. She sees Over the Top becoming a wellness hub for the community, with plans to open a healthy on-site juice shop and café as part of a broader goal to make the building a launchpad for wellness and entrepreneurship.
Smith has already welcomed other small businesses into the space, giving them a place to start, grow and serve the community. Her excitement about guiding the next generation of entrepreneurs is palpable. “I didn’t have a mentor when I started,” she beams. “Now I try to be that person for others.”
As such, Smith is helping aspiring business owners find their footing and yet again expanding the Academy’s reach. Whether it’s a child learning their first dance steps, a teen running sound in a musical production or an adult rediscovering joy through movement, Over the Top Academy of Dance continues to transform lives in Alger Heights.
