About | Kristie's Music Studio - Kristie's Music Studio

Kristie Smith, Music teacher

Hi! I’m Kristie Smith, and I teach harp lessons and piano lessons in Las Vegas. I have taught music lessons for over fifteen years.

I teach my students how to practice effectively and efficiently, with focus and discipline.

I provide students with a thorough understanding of music history and music theory.

I customize lessons to fit the unique needs of each student. My goal is to help each student become the very best musician they can be.

Background

I began playing the piano at the age of six and the harp at the age of ten. I competed in and won many local and national music competitions during my teenage years.

Undergraduate

I received my undergraduate training with Dr. Carrol McLaughlin, renowned jazz harpist and director of HarpFusion. I studied piano with Dr. Paula Fan, Regents Professor of Piano and principal pianist of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra.

I was honored as the Outstanding Senior of my undergraduate class when I 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-Graduate

I have been privileged to study with internationally respected teachers. I am currently a doctoral candidate in harp performance at Indiana University, where I studied with Distinguished Professor Susann McDonald, artistic director of the World Harp Congress. I received my Master of Music degree from Indiana University in 2005.

Lineage

As a student of Susann McDonald, I continue the tradition of harp playing in the method of Henriette Renié, a respected French harpist and composer for the harp.

Student accomplishments

I am extremely proud of my students and their accomplishments. Some highlights:

My harp student Emma plays professionally for weddings in St. George, Utah. 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). This student also won the Henderson Symphony Concerto Auditions and performed a harp concerto with that orchestra in 2017.

Kristie Smith, harpist for hire in Las Vegas.

Performance background

I have an extensive performance background, as well. I 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.

I have competed in international harp competitions, including the Israel International Harp Contest and the USA International Harp Competition.

As the American Harp Society Concert Artist, I toured the US for two years giving solo recitals. I 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.

I play harp for weddings in the Las Vegas area.

I belong to the Music Teachers National Association (MTNA), the Las Vegas Music Teachers Association (LVMTA), and the American Harp Society (AHS).

I would love to meet you! To schedule the first lesson, email me or text or call meat 702-575-2793.