Expressions Gala

Tracy Johnson's ensemble: Moon River open-back white crocheted top over frayed edge underlay, Surf Gypsy black lace flared pants with boy shorts underlayer, silver and crystal disc headband, and silver wire cuff (above left) — all from South Moon Under. Topshop black faux fur jacket and black suede booties, and Tory Burch black leather handbag — all from Nordstrom. ( Karen Jackson/photos for the Baltimore Sun )

Tracy Johnson, 25, was a student at the Baltimore School for the Arts, but she came to the school's Expressions Gala with the mindset of a teacher.

When the Canton resident attended BSA, she chose a major in theater to help her in her “extracurricular activities” — competing in figure skating and ice dancing, a passion she had been pursuing since she was 31/2.

“It gave me that flair on the ice that made me fall even more in love with skating. … I found a passion for skating in a way I'd never had before,” she said.

In the years since graduating in 2008, the Canton resident changed her career to choreography, becoming a figure skating coach at a number of ice rinks around Baltimore and Washington. That experience also gave her new insight when it came to seeing some of her old BSA teachers again.

“My motto growing up was, ‘If I can't do it, I'll teach.' I never really understood why people taught,” she said. “It's not because they couldn't do it. It's because it's the biggest joy that there is, is to share your gift. ... To share that with another human being is really something special.”

HER STYLE: Girly bohemian. “I like to look feminine, but not necessarily sexy. I look for something that is going to show some [skin], but not show off everything.”

STILL LEARNING: “[Coaching] is a long-term journey. I'm at the beginning of it, and it gets better. The longer you're in it, you just get better, and more seasoned, more respected. With teaching, I learn every day.”