I was born into a musical family, my grandparents and great grandparents being band directors, both parents playing musical instruments, and both older sisters being pianists and flutists.
In kindergarten, my mother played a London Symphony recording of “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin and I fell in love with music. I began piano lessons in the first grade and studied piano for 14 years. Flute became my main love in music, however, when I began band in fifth grade. I studied privately with a teacher in Southern Illinois for 8 years and continued my studies with Dr. Valerie Watts at the University of Oklahoma where I received a Bachelor of Music Education with High Honors. I have taught private flute lessons for 22 years and have also taught piano, voice, and clarinet.
I moved to the Phoenix area in 2010 in order to marry my high school sweetheart, Paul Smith. We live in North Central Phoenix with our cat, Ella Fitzgerald Smith. I also love to read, hike, drink tea, go to church, and spend time with God. My last job before moving to Arizona was to help college girls learn the Bible and know God better. I also have a Masters degree from a theological seminary.
My love for music includes classical, rock, broadway, and especially jazz. My favorite of all time is Harry Connick Jr who I have loved since my Jr. High days. I also love Gerswhin and Copland, my favorite American composers, and my favorite Broadway musical is “West Side Story” by Leonard Bernstein. I’m also very grateful to my husband Paul who has recently helped me to understand what all the big deal about The Beatles is…my favorite Beatles song is “Oh Darling.”
Cindy Smith Music 