Profile

Get to Know Me!

1. What inspired you to pursue music?

Choosing a career was not easy-- I have many passions!

I was lucky to grow up surrounded by great music and world-class musicians. Daily I heard detailed, finessed playing, which naturally developed my deep love and understanding of music. As a young adult, I realized that music would provide life-long challenges. There is no end to the layers of puzzles and beauty waiting to be cracked open and discovered. I yearned to take on those challenges and find the deeper side of music that touches our souls. Still to this day, every single day, I discover something new; how to play the piano better, how to be more expressive and convincing, or I gain a deeper understanding of what makes a composition great. I am constantly fascinated and engaged. The variety of music available to pianists seems limitless. I suspect I will always feel like I’ve just scratched the surface no matter how much I study and practice.

2. What do you like about teaching?

I think great teachers affect us deeply for the rest of our lives. It’s impactful and important work.

I personally find teaching to be challenging and fun. The teacher’s job is to convert their understanding of what they do into words and demonstrations that are understandable to students. This is not always easy! No one can make learning happen, but a great teacher brings all the ingredients together in a way that enables the student’s natural learning process. A deep understanding of music (and technique at an instrument) is laid down one moment at a time with small flashes of insight and incremental gains. It’s a beautiful process to be part of and to witness. Connecting with passionate students, helping them expand their art, find their voice, and mature as musicians brings me great joy.

3. What else do you do besides music?

Staying active is the best way I refresh my mind and body. I love to travel and camp, hike, bike, and ski. I find time in nature to be deeply healing. I’m currently taking lessons in two structured sports, dog agility and pickleball. I adore dogs but I love all animals. (If I won the lottery, I’d probably open a rescue farm, complete with a concert stage!) Naturally I enjoy going to fine concerts and theatre. At home, in between practicing, I’m happiest reading and working in the garden. I hope to have time soon to revive fluency in the foreign languages I studied in college.

Professional Bio

American pianist Kirsten Smith completed her undergraduate and graduate degrees in piano performance at the Arizona State University School of Music under the tutelage of Steven De Groote, Gold Medalist of the Van Cliburn International Piano Competition. A winner of many competitions herself, Ms. Smith has been the recipient of awards, scholarships and invitations to music festivals including the Aspen Music Festival, Interlochen Center for the Arts and the Van Cliburn Institute. She has been chosen to premiere numerous new works by contemporary composers and has recorded several times for the Centaur label. In addition to the solo repertoire, Ms. Smith is devoted to the performance of collaborative works, and is a passionate teacher who believes deeply in the importance of discovering and sharing musical knowledge. Ms. Smith has been on the faculty of Sacramento State University since 1996, where she has taught piano, music theory, aural skills, collaborative piano and piano pedagogy. In demand as a lecturer, adjudicator and columnist, Ms. Smith was awarded a prestigious Pedagogy Enhancement Award at CSUS. Raised in a musical family, she began formal lessons with her mother at age four and began teaching piano and entered college by age thirteen. Ms. Smith resides in Sacramento, where she divides her time between teaching and performing. When she’s not at the piano, she enjoys training for dog agility competitions as well as traveling, camping and exploring nature.

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