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BORN
1926
DIED
2016
Teta Smart Obituary
Smart ran a dance studio for 53 years, coming into contact with thousands of children and their parents. She also ran the Miss Whittier Pageant, helped start the Whittier Light Opera Association and helped organize the effort that created the city's last float in the Rose Parade in 2005.
Smart, 90, died on April 13.
Memories and Condolences
for Teta Smart
29 Entries
Cynthia Racca
September 11, 2023
Au revoir Madame smart merci beaucoup
Robin Baker
March 10, 2019
I took dance lessons from Teta starting in 1962 for 5 years. I was 5 years old and I remember loving the tumbling portion of class. I returned to Teta when I was 21 to reignite my passion. She had not changed at all. I wondered for years after moving away what she was doing, and I'm saddened to read this obit on a friends' FB page. RIP Teta, you were one in a million.
March 7, 2018
Thank you for all your goodness and instruction. Cory Dodds
March 7, 2018
You were so good to my son. You will be missed Ms Smart.
Joy Holiday
December 2, 2016
I too was a past student, starting classes when I was 8 yrs old in 1978. I loved being at the studio and can remember it all like it was yesterday. My condolences to all of Teta's family. She will surely be missed.
Desiree Herrera (Deherrera)
September 8, 2016
I began dancing at Smarts School of Dance when I was around 8 or 9. Teta's daughter Sugar, was my teacher. I was also so very shy, but Teta helped me break out of my shell. My condolences to the family. May she rest in peace.
Lessette Jaime
May 18, 2016
I remember going to the ballet dance camp with my best friend when I was 12. I was painfully shy and self-conscious about being chubbier than all the other girls but Teta's personally and wonderful character made me feel completely comfortable and at ease . I had so much fun! She was magical.
May 15, 2016
What a wonderful and very full life Teta lived. It was a privilege to have met her and talked with her. She will note be forgotten but remembered always for all the good that she did for so many.
Jill and Jenelle as Princess Aurora in Sleeping Beauty
May 8, 2016
First of all, my condolences to Sugar and Michael and the rest of Teta's family. Teta played a very important part of my childhood and that of my sister and my daughter, and I will always be grateful for her love, artistic direction, and the influence she had on our lives.
My family became involved with Smart's School of Dance way back in 1964. I say family because it was definitely a family affair; my sister, Jill (at age 5), and I (at age 10) began ballet lessons with Teta and our mother sewed our costumes for the annual performances. I also believe that one of my brothers was in at least one of the shows as a bear.
I had loved to dance from the time I was 5 years old, and had taken many classes and performed in several recitals through the Parks and Recreation Department in Pico Rivera where we lived. When I was 10 years old, my mother wanted to find a real dance studio for me. Our search lead us to Teta Smart's dance studio on Hadley Street in Whittier. Once we walked into the studio, I knew this was the place for me. The wooden floors, the mirrors that covered one wall, the ballet barres across the other wall, the beautiful ballet pictures displayed on the walls, a real piano player, and the girls dancing at the barre all seemed just like what I imagined it would be like to take real ballet lessons. I also remember seeing my soon-to-become best friend, Marilyn Magness with her incredibly beautiful and very long hair, dancing at the barre in front of the other girls in the beginner class and demonstrating the steps.
Teta was so creative and her shows were especially fun and entertaining, unlike most recitals from other studios. Her shows taught us how to act, sing, dance, and overall perform in front of an audience with confidence. After dancing with Teta for three years, my family moved to Whittier so we could be closer to our dance studio and so I could attend Whittier High. Because of my experience with Teta as a youngster, I became involved in all of the high school musicals and talent shows (along with Marilyn). After high school I went to a performing arts college and graduated with a bachelor of fine arts in classical ballet. I have taught ballet and folk dancing off and on throughout my adult life, choreographed some community theater, and incorporated the performing arts into my curriculum as a school teacher. My sister, Jill, also performed through high school and went on to perform around the world with the Young Americans. Such great memories.
I had fun last night going through all of the programs I had saved all of these years from our dance performances and remembering glimpses of Teta as she choreographed our individual and group songs and dances. Just for fun, I thought I would list them as a remembrance of great times with Teta for all the girls who performed in them:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears, 1964
Jenelle Lady in Waiting (age 10)
Twelve Dancing Princesses, June 19, 1965
Jill Little Star (age 5)
Jenelle Princess (age 11)
Pinocchio - 1966
Jill Figaro the Cat (age 6)
Jenelle School Child, Tightrope Walker, Sea Nymph (age 12)
Texas Cinderella - 1967
Jill Mice (7)
Jenelle The Fairy Godmother, Sailor (age 13)
The Prince and the Statue -1968
Jill Rabbit (age 8)
Jenelle Dilly Dally (sister of the princess) (age 14)
Trial of Lucy May - 1969
Jill Dancerina Doll (age 9)
Jenelle Lucy (age 15)
Sleeping Beauty - 1970
Jill Princess Aurora, age 6 (age 10)
Jenelle Princess Aurora, age 16 (age 16)
The Kids in the Shoe, March 1971
Jill Kid in the Shoe, Skater (age 11)
Jenelle Wife of Peter Pumpkin Eater, Fairy (age 17)
Little Redding Hood - 1972
Jill Little Red (age 12)
Years later, in about 1994 or so, my own daughter, Susan, performed Little Red in Little Redding Hood with Teta. Susan also went on to attend and perform in the Orange County School of Performing Arts High School and then in other community shows in the city of San Diego.
Much love and thank you, Teta, for your love, creativity, and commitment to children and the arts. You made a difference in all of our lives.
Teta Smart, en pointe
samantha smart
May 2, 2016
Teta Smart
samantha smart
May 2, 2016
Teta Smart, 1953
samantha smart
May 2, 2016
Teta Smart ca. 2002
samantha smart
May 2, 2016
Nancy Flournoy
April 25, 2016
It was amazing having Teta as my ballet teacher. At 68 I still take ballet, or rather I take it again after a twenty-some year break. She infused us with joy in creativity and in our bodies. I keep my toe shoes in honor of Teta and my time with her.
Nancy Flournoy
Bellingham, WA
April 23, 2016
We were Tera's neighbor for over 34 years and we always loved seeing all of the work and preparations that went into the dance recitals held on their property. We never attended but were the beneficiary of hearing all the music and applause. We loved her joy and kind manner, even when our dog decided he preferred her house to ours.... "Maggie's over here if you are looking for her, she's asleep on my bed". Once a very large pot belly pig found its way into our backyard, we were shocked and about to call animal control when Teta came through the gate connecting our properties asking if we had seen a pig. Apparently a friend could no longer keep it and she couldn't say no.
Teta made our years the epitame of the name the community bears, FRIENDLY. Rest in peace joy filled spirit, and our very most sincere sympathy to you Michael.
Laurie and Denis O'Brien
Trabuco Canyon, Calif.
Anne Lough Henry
April 23, 2016
Teta had a profound impact on my life: I think I spent most of my childhood at the studio! One of my fondest memories was her monkey at her house and the year that she made us all sock monkeys for Christmas. I remember the other dancers who were a little further up the food chain that I was (Katie Brown and her mom Judy, Pam and Pat, Marilyn Magness, etc), Teta's husband Barney, and of course Sugar, who was in my classes as well. I wasn't the most gifted dancer, but I was a hard worker and Teta encouraged that by offering me opportunities for solos and teaching positions. Little did she know that I would pay my way through college as a choreographer, work on Whittier's Centennial celebration with Marilyn, and later, as a mom of performers myself, become a leading advocate in the entertainment industry -- all because of her! Laws protecting young actors are passed today because she allowed the "hard worker" in the group to shine, among the naturally gifted dancers she taught. Teta required professionalism in the artistic world, something I have tried to pass on to my own children and to my students today. Rest in peace, Teta...no, instead I pray you are dancing in heaven, after a life well-lived. I don't think resting would be something you would enjoy. Sugar, if you or any of our generation are reading this, I'd love to reconnect with you, and I'm so sorry for your loss.
Patti Armacost
April 22, 2016
I'm so very sorry for the loss of Teta. I took dance lessons in 1954. She was so kind and beautiful. At my age of 6 I couldn't keep my eye's of her. Rest in Peace lovely Lady...
Steve Shoemaker
April 20, 2016
Teta had a very deep love for people, especially children. Her Theater, and Dance Company was a true labor of love. The students were not just students, they were her children, and she loved everyone of them. She showed many to reach above what what they thought was their potential, and enjoyed watching them blossom. She often spoke about her own two children, telling me things they had done, and how much she loved them.
When ever she she would call, I knew that it would be a whirlwind, a great deal of fun, a whole lot of laughter, a few challenges, and a memorable experience. I am very grateful for every second spent with her.
Randj
April 20, 2016
Does anyone know when the services are?
Lea Stern
April 20, 2016
Teta,
From your old studio on Hadley next to the miniature golf course to the new studio on Milton, you were like a second mother to me. We rode the pony at your house, we saw Michael and Sugar come into your life and you were always there for us all.
I owe who I am in life in part to you. "You must bleed for your art" you used to tell us. Even though I pursued a career as a physician instead of a dancer (I'm still a damn good dancer!), those words have always stayed with me as an inspiration to everything I have done. I always understood it to mean exactly what you meant, whatever you do in life, give it your best effort and work for it.
I loved you Teta and even though I live on the other side of the country now I will always be that little girl at Smarts School of Dance in Whittier California.
April 20, 2016
Ms. Smart opened up my eyes to the world of dance at the age of 4 years old. Wonderful woman. Whittier will def miss her.
Tamara-Michele Cline
April 19, 2016
Teta will always hold a special spot in my heart. She opened the door of pageantry into my life. I wouldn't be the person I am today if it weren't for her. I will miss you Teta. And I will always remember you singing Annie's song to me "tomorrow! Tomorrow! I love ya! Tomorrow!" I love you Teta and may your beautiful soul rest in peace.
Carol Belk
April 19, 2016
Rest in peace, sweet Teta, and know that you will forever have a special place in the hearts of your many students.
April 19, 2016
Omg, this saddens me so much! Teta was my first ballet teacher. I began studying with her when I was 10 at her studio on W. Hadley Street. I lived about three blocks away on Hadley and could walk to the studio. I remember the wood floors, the barre and the mirrored wall, but most of all, I remember the loving way she taught. She was strict, but firm in a way that showed us she loved and cared about all of us. She never played favorites. The only time I remember her being even slightly upset with me was the day I walked into class after having my long brunette braids cut off! I was mortified to have disappointed her, but she soon forgave me. (And, of course, my hair grew back.) My favorite memories are of the recitals and all of the preparations, practice, costumes and makeup and then it was show time! She instilled in me a love of ballet and the performing arts that remains with me still. She is one of my most vivid and cherished memories from my childhood.
Dance on in heaven, sweet Miss Teta! You were one special lady!
Carol (Middleton) Belk (71)
Schertz, Texas
Marcia Mosqueda
April 19, 2016
An angel now in heaven. Teta and Samantha taught my daughter Rachel dance, whom we just lost on March 13th. Now the two are dancing in heaven
Laurie Eikleberry-Doerr
April 19, 2016
Teta, You were such a big part of my life and you have had such an influence on who I am as a woman, mother and nana.
All of us felt your love for us. We loved it when you'd drag us by our arms to place us by height at the barr as we all giggled. You were loud, funny, kind, an artist. Your studio was different than all the rest. You were the studio. The floors were old worn oak, with a real pianist and our mothers sat in the room with us on wooden benches, no glass partitions as in other studios. You shared your life with us. We all celebrated with you when you brought home your children that you so desperately longed for. I was your student off and on from the age of seven through college. I could go on and on with all the memories I have of you and how your love and humor inspires me to this day. I am so thankful that at 7 years old I chose you as my teacher. I am so thankful to have had you in my life.
You will live on in all of us who were fortunate enough to have you as our Teta.
.
Carolyn Theisen
April 19, 2016
Teta was so important to the total development of my daughter, Tracee who to this day credits Teta Smart as someone who cared enough about her to let her shine!! Teta did that for so many beautiful and talented young girls/ladies!! We love her!
Frajoli Gebhardt
April 19, 2016
My condolences to her family...We will miss you TETA
Art & Vicky & Kechia & Gabby Bejarano
April 19, 2016
My condolences to the family she will forever be missed by so many people. So many memories may she rest in peace. May the Lord wrap his loving arms around you all and comfort you at this time of need..
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