Tina Smothers is the visionary founder and Artistic Director of Ignite the Light Performing ArtsTina Smothers is the visionary founder and Artistic Director of Ignite the Light Performing Arts and the driving force behind the studio’s mission to develop great humans who happen to be great performers. With more than 20 years of teaching, directing, vocal coaching, and mentoring experience, Tina has become known throughout Loudoun County and beyond for her ability to inspire young artists while building a positive, inclusive, and high-level training environment.

Tina holds a Bachelor of Music in Voice from Bluefield University and has dedicated her career to helping students discover confidence, creativity, leadership, and a lifelong love of the arts. Through both Ignite the Light Performing Arts and Voice by Tina, she has trained hundreds of young performers in musical theatre, vocal performance, acting, and audition preparation.

Under Tina’s leadership, students from her programs have gone on to perform, study, and create in incredible places throughout the entertainment industry. These are just some of the stages, productions, and programs where her students have been seen:

Broadway Productions

National Tours

The Kennedy Center Honors

Arena Stage

Ford’s Theatre

Signature Theatre

Toby’s Dinner Theatre

Lincoln Center

Disney On Ice

Walt Disney World

Disneyland Paris

Cruise Ship Productions

54 Below

The Green Room 42

Tina’s students have also been accepted into some of the nation’s most prestigious college and conservatory training programs, including:

New York University

Elon University

Point Park University

Baldwin Wallace University

Shenandoah University

University of Miami

Rider University

Montclair State University

LIU Post

AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts

Norwalk Conservatory of the Arts

In addition to her students’ professional and collegiate success, Tina has built an award-winning performing arts community through Ignite the Light. Her programs have received multiple recognitions at the Junior Theater Festival, and Ignite students are known for their strong performance training, leadership, kindness, and collaborative spirit.

Tina’s teaching philosophy goes far beyond technique. She believes the arts should be a place where students feel safe, encouraged, challenged, and celebrated. Her motto, “Be a good human,” is woven into every rehearsal, lesson, class, and performance experience at Ignite.

Known for her heartfelt leadership, dynamic directing style, and ability to connect deeply with students of all ages, Tina has helped create a studio culture where performers are empowered to shine unapologetically both on and off the stage.

Whether working with a preschool student stepping into a dance class for the first time or mentoring advanced performers pursuing professional careers, Tina is passionate about helping every artist discover their voice, build confidence, and realize their full potential.

Tina Smothers is the visionary founder and Artistic Director of Ignite the Light Performing Arts and the driving force behind the studio’s mission to develop great humans who happen to be great performers. With more than 20 years of teaching, directing, vocal coaching, and mentoring experience, Tina has become known throughout Loudoun County and beyond for her ability to inspire young artists while building a positive, inclusive, and high-level training environment.

Jordan McEachin is a dancer, singer, and actress who received her BFA in Musical Theatre at AMDA College of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles. She has been performing since a very young age, with extensive training in dance, acting, and singing. She has performed in various musicals, including Beauty and the Beast, 9 to 5, and Edges.

In addition, Jordan has worked on various film productions, including films on Netflix and other streaming channels, commercials, music videos, and short films. Her most recent professional credits include performing as a dancer and character performer with Disneyland Paris and Disney on Ice.

Aside from performing, Jordan has a multitude of choreography credits for youth performing arts, including Mamma Mia, Grease, and Singin’ in the Rain in which she was presented with the National Youth Arts Award for Outstanding Choreography (2023).

She is excited to share her passion for the performing arts as an instructor and looks forward to providing a safe and comfortable space for students to learn and grow to their best abilities.

Nilton Rodney brings over 16 years of experience as a dancer, teacher, choreographer, and producer of urban dance events throughout Costa Rica and Central America. His artistry and expertise have taken him to international workshops in the Netherlands, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Honduras, where he has shared his passion with dancers around the world.

Nilton has performed on stage with internationally recognized artists such as Macka Diamond, Ding Dong, and Merital Family, and has proudly represented Costa Rica in some of the most respected urban dance competitions, including Hip Hop International (USA) and Hip Hop Kingz (The Netherlands).

For the past three years, Nilton has been an active instructor throughout the DMV area, teaching at ten different breaking studios and leading a wide range of youth and adult classes. His teaching blends strong foundational technique, musicality, and authentic cultural roots—empowering dancers at every level to grow, express, and shine.