Sarita Smith Childs
Independant Dancer, Choreographer, and Financial Advisor
Sarita Smith Childs a Chicago native, is an independent dancer and choreographer. A graduate of Sarah Lawrence College in New York, Sarita returned to her performance career after a lengthy stint with ABN AMRO Bank as an Assistant Vice President in the Capital Markets Group. She spent two seasons with Melissa Thodos and Dancers as a featured artist, Rehearsal Director and Educational Outreach Coordinator.
After leaving the company she performed as a freelance artist in commercial and concert dance projects; taught nationally as an artist in residence in Illinois, Michigan, and Tennessee school districts as well as a master class instructor for national dance conventions. She recently has worked with the Cerqua River Arts Experience, Congo Square Theatre Company and MOMENTA Performing Arts Company as a guest choreographer, and with international choreographer Randy Duncan as a performer and rehearsal assistant. She was the recipient of the 2000 Ruth Page Award for Dance Achievement and a 3-time nominee / 2001 recipient of the Black Theatre Alliance Award for Best Performance in a Music or Dance Performance.
She has been on the faculty of Barat College of DePaul University, Gus Giordano Dance Center, the Hoel Hall Dance Center, the Lou Conte Dance Studio, the Salt Creek Ballet and the Academy of Movement and Music and was director of the dance program at Whitney Young Magnet High School.
In addition to her freelance work, in August of 2004 she joined UBS Financial Services in their Wealth Management division as a Financial Advisor. Sarita is a Registered Representative and a Registered Investment Advisor.
Session 1: Working as an Independent Dance Artist
This session will discuss how to promote yourself as a freelance dance artist. Emphasis will be on building networks, regarding yourself as a business entity, promotion strategies, and employment opportunities. We will also discuss the pros and cons of freelance work vs. company work and business concerns such as booking, schedules, and fees. Session is geared towards dance artist, choreographers, and educators.
Session 2: The Need For Retirement Planning - Developing A Retirement Strategy
This session will discuss a topic often not on the forefront of artists' minds - Retirement. We will discuss the basics of retirement planning: why it should be a priority, using time to your advantage and the retirement process. Session is geared towards all participants.