Kerry Smith, ’07
By Jacob West, Development Coordinator
After playing viola in GTCYS, alum Kerry Smith built an exciting and diverse career in the arts. She currently serves as the Vice President of Artistic Planning at the Utah Symphony.
Kerry took some time to share her favorite GTCYS memories, professional journey, and advice for students considering higher education.
Professional Journey and Career Skills Learned from GTCYS
After GTCYS, Kerry earned music degrees from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the University of Montreal before shifting her career focus and earning an MBA in arts administration from the University of Cincinnati. Kerry has held roles at the Colburn School of Music, Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra, Sarasota Orchestra, and most recently as Assistant Vice President of Artistic Planning at the North Carolina Symphony. Her current job at the Utah Symphony revolves around season planning—working with the music director to choose repertoire, engaging guest conductors and artists, and planning community concerts, pops concerts, and tours.
Kerry uses skills she learns in GTCYS every day in her career. GTCYS’ rehearsal structure—spending a whole semester with a piece—showed her how doing a small amount of focused work every day makes a long-lasting impact, and she brings that approach into her professional life! Small improvements over a long period of time make a big difference—whether you apply it to music or any other work that you end up doing.
Favorite GTCYS Memories and Repertoire
Kerry started her journey playing viola in Philharmonia, working her way up to Symphony over her five years in GTCYS. Favorite repertoire memories include playing Wagner’s Overture to the opera Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg with Philharmonic and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 5 with Symphony (especially as a violist). Kerry’s favorite concert memory is playing Berlioz’s Symphony Fantastique at a Halloween Concert in Orchestra Hall, where she made the mistake of wearing a firefighter outfit that squeaked the entire concert, much to the chagrin of her stand partner!
Advice for Current Students
For students interested in a career in the arts, Kerry recommends immersing yourself as much as possible in whatever community you find yourself in! Use student tickets, attend as many performances as you can, and get comfortable with the culture of the art world as a patron and performer.
Did you know? Students attend performances for FREE with the Minnesota Orchestra, Schubert Club, and Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra.
Kerry believes that going to a big college or conservatory does not guarantee your success—in some cases, taking on significant debt for the “best” school can even hurt more than help. For GTCYS students considering higher education, Kerry’s recommended reading is Frank Bruni’s book, Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania.
And remember: We all create our own definition of success. Being a professional musician isn’t the only path to working in the arts. Kerry’s story shows that there are many ways to play your part in the professional world, whether behind the scenes, in the office, or on the stage!
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