Kristie Smith, Music teacher
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Kristie Smith teaches harp lessons and piano lessons in Summerlin, Las Vegas. She has taught music lessons for over fifteen years.
Kristie teaches her students how to practice effectively and efficiently, with focus and discipline. Kristie provides students with a thorough understanding of music history and music theory. Kristie customizes lessons to fit the unique needs of each student. She invests time and love into teaching her students. Kristie's goal is to help each student become the very best musician s/he can be. |
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Background
Kristie began playing the piano at the age of six and the harp at the age of ten. She excelled and became a serious competitor and winner of national music competitions during her teenage years.
UndergraduateKristie received her undergraduate training with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, renowned jazz harpist and director of HarpFusion. Kristie studied piano with Dr. Paula Fan, Regents Professor of Piano and principal pianist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.
Kristie was honored as the Outstanding Senior of her undergraduate class when she graduated summa cum laude and with Honors with a Bachelor of Music in harp and piano performance from the University of Arizona in 2004. Post-GraduateKristie has been privileged to study with internationally respected teachers. Kristie is currently a doctoral candidate in harp performance at Indiana University, where she studied with Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald, artistic director of the World Harp Congress. Kristie received her Master of Music degree from Indiana University in 2005.
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LineageAs a student of Susann McDonald, Kristie carries on the tradition of harp playing in the method of Henriette Renié, a French harpist and composer for the harp.
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Student accomplishments
Kristie is very proud of her students and their accomplishments. Some highlights:
- Kristie's harp student Emma plays professionally for weddings in St. George, Utah (St. George Wedding Music). Emma won the Southwest Symphony Concerto Competition in 2017 and performed Handel's harp concerto with that orchestra in early 2018. She won the ASTA solo competition in 2018, performing at the winner's recital in January 2019.
- Another student has won first prize at the Las Vegas Music Teachers Association Silver State Competition (2016) and Legacy Competition (2018). That student also won the Henderson Symphony Concerto Auditions and performed a harp concerto with that orchestra in 2017.
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Performance backgroundKristie has an extensive performance background, as well. Kristie earned national recognition as the winner of several major music competitions, including the American Harp Society Young Professional Competition, the Anne Adams Awards, and the NFMC Young Artist Awards.
Kristie has been a strong competitor in international harp competitions, including the Israel International Harp Contest and the USA International Harp Competition. As the American Harp Society Concert Artist, Kristie toured the US for two years giving solo recitals. She was honored to represent the American Harp Society at its Opening Concert in Los Angeles in 2005 and at the World Harp Congress in Dublin in the same year. Kristie plays harp for weddings in the Las Vegas area. |
Kristie belongs to the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Las Vegas Music Teachers Association (LVMTA), the Music Teachers American String Teachers Association (ASTA), and the American Harp Society (AHS).
Kristie would love to meet you to determine whether she and your child will be a good fit! To schedule the first lesson, email her or text or call her at 702-575-2793.