Dr. Smith enjoys a reputation as one of the United States most
highly regarded figures in the field of collaborative artistry. His performing
experiences have included associations in major musical venues with such
musical personalities as bass-baritone, Thomas Stewart; soprano, Barbara
Bonney; mezzo-soprano, Stephanie Blythe; violist, Donald McInnes; violinist,
Eudice Shapiro; as well as the Los Angeles Chamber Virtuosi. Broadcasts
of his performances, compositions, and interviews have been aired on WQXR
in New York City, KUSC in Los Angeles, and North German Radio.
Alan's expertise and experience in song literature, chamber music,
and opera make him much sought after as an accompanist, coach, faculty
colleague, teacher of masterclasses, and adjudicator of area and international
competitions. He serves as the Chair of Keyboard Studies as well as the
Director of the Keyboard Collaborative Arts Program at the Thornton School
of Music of the University of Southern California, the oldest and largest
program of its kind the country. He has served for fifteen years as a
member of the vocal coaching faculty at the Tanglewood Music Center in
western Massachusetts, and has served as the Vocal Program Coordinator.
His current and former students maintain important positions internationally
in the field of collaborative piano and coaching, including positions
at Boston University, Baylor University, The Metropolitan Opera, Houston
Grand Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, Los Angeles Opera, Sarasota Opera,
Seoul National Conservatory, and the University of Southern California.
As a composer, his pieces for voice and piano have received performances
in music centers on both the east and west coasts, including New York,
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and the Tanglewood Music Center. His latest
commission was from the Tanglewood Music Center for a set of songs for
a world premiere gala concert in 2002, celebrating the eightieth birthday
of American soprano, Phyllis Curtin. Dr. Smith has had articles published
in Piano and Keyboard magazine and his articles and reviews on various
aspects of collaborative artistry have appeared in the magazine, The American
Music Teacher.
The Four Folk Songs for Soprano, Viola and Piano have had an active concert
life, having been performed many times across the United States and internationally.
For a complete listing of titles by this author, click HERE.