Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Smith.
Rachel, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I was five, I heard a recording of a Vivaldi violin concerto being performed with orchestra, and I was mesmerized by the sparkling sound and the energy of the group. I was currently studying piano (my mom is a pianist), but asked for violin lessons. My parents said I had to wait a year, but then if I was still interested, I could take violin lessons. Although I don’t remember this, my parents said I asked again one year later on the same date. Fast forward about twenty-five years, and now I have a masters degree in violin performance and make my living as a teacher and performer.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I don’t know of anyone who makes a living as a professional musician who hasn’t had to learn to persevere. Those twenty-some-odd years that I glossed over included finding the right teacher at the right time, technical challenges, balancing various schedule demands, etc. Now I balance rather atypical work hours, travel, and other normal, small business concerns. There are always challenges, but learning to work through them can actually be one of the joys of the profession, not to mention that the work itself is often deeply rewarding.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Rachel D. Smith, violinist – what should we know?
I’m a classically-trained violinist, so I perform throughout DFW both as an orchestral musician and a freelancer (weddings, events, etc). I also teach and have a private studio of roughly twenty students, who range in age. I’ve taught students as young as four, all the way through high school.
Additionally, I also do some work in arts admin for ROCO, which is a chamber orchestra in Houston. I used to live there, and when I decided to move to Dallas to pursue certain performing/teaching opportunities, we realized I could continue the work remotely, with a few trips back to Houston each season. It’s becoming increasingly common for professional musicians to have a foot in both the performing/teaching world and in the arts admin world, and what I love about that is that each type of work I do actually helps inform the others.
I understand the orchestral world from both a performing an administrative viewpoint, the performing I do helps me understand how to guide my students, managing a studio is another form of arts admin – it all works together! While there are certainly a number of musicians teaching and performing in DFW, each of us is a unique entrepreneurial effort, just as we’re distinct people and artists. The fact that there is more than one of us is wonderful! You can’t have an orchestra with just one violin, nor can one teacher help everyone who wants to learn.
This area is a lovely community of musicians, and what distinguishes each of us, in the most wonderful way, is our different experiences, training, perspectives, priorities, personalities – even our sounds. Two people can play the same violin and it can sound different. The difference is the person.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I simply wouldn’t be working as a violinist without the support of my family and teachers! From teachers coming along with just the right technical help or encouragement during a tricky time, to the constant support of my family, to incredibly collaborative and welcoming colleagues, this has been a journey and a career filled with people.
While it’s absolutely true that each musician is unique, we don’t grow in a vacuum, and I owe a huge debt of gratitude to all those who have shaped and supported me over the years!
Contact Info:
- Website: racheldsmith.com
- Phone: 214-628-6419
Image Credit:
J. Lovett Barrick Photography
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
