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Bio for Christian Smith
Christian Smith, 15, is the 2010 WVSO Andrew and Amy Vaughan Fellow. He has studied piano for nine years, including summers at Interlochen Center for the Arts and Brevard Music Center on merit scholarships. He has participated in master classes with Angela Cheng, Orli Shaham, William Nyaho, Elizabeth Pridinoff, and Antonio Pompa-Baldi. Christian has performed solo piano at the Kanawha Forum, Good Night Charleston, on Day Star TV, and most recently at the governor’s mansion, for a reception after the state of the state address. He is a 2009 Marshall University Sonata Festival winner and the 2010 Young People’s Concerto winner. He recently performed Liszt’s Piano Concerto, No.1 in two concerts with the Marshall University Orchestra. Christian has received other music awards and enjoys performing for churches, nursing homes, and charitable organizations. He studies privately with Victoria Berneking-Cavendish, whom he credits for his musical development. He has received additional training from Anita Pontremoli of Cleveland Institute of Music, Dr. Craig Nies of Vanderbilt University, Dr. Laura Melton of Bowling Green University, Dr. Eric Ruple of James Madison University, and Dr. Gerald Lee of West Liberty University.
Christian also studies violin with Ian Jessee (WVSO) and performs violin with the Appalachian Children’s Chorus. He has received vocal training with Ken Lam and was a vocalist under the baton of Maestro Grant Llewellyn.
Christian resides in Hurricane, WV, with his parents, Scott and Lesley, and sister, Arianna. He is home schooled, academically scores in the top 1% nationally, holds black belts in tae kwon do and karate, is a senate page for Dr. Daniel Foster, and attends Fellowship Baptist Church in Barboursville, WV. Christian’s future aspiration is to attend a music conservatory with hopes of becoming a concert pianist. He says he can’t imagine spending a day without his piano.
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