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Biography
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Baritone Derrick Smith, a native of Rochester, received
his Masters degree from the Eastman School of Music. Mr. Smith has performed
internationally as part of the Brereton International Music Symposium in
England and with the International Institute of Vocal Arts in Italy. He has
studied with Thomas Hampson, Sherrill Milnes, Mignon Dunn and Janet Bookspan,
among others. Sharon McDaniel of the Democrat and Chronicle (Rochester, NY)
April 10, 1997 said of Mr. Smith, "a voice of great potential has
evolved into a gorgeous and potent vehicle, driven by a thoughtful musician.
Smith's tone has become full and resonant, with warm golden highlights from
its rich depths to even the softest upper notes. The voice promised power
that was barely tapped for the small hall." Mr. Smith has also
performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, Opera Theatre of
Rochester, Rochester Oratorio Society, Rochester Bach Festival, and
Rochester Chamber Orchestra and New York City Opera. He has also sung with
Glimmerglass Opera and has had leading roles with Ithaca Opera, Opera Ebony
and New York Vocal Artists. Most recently, Mr. Smith was given the
opportunity to perform with the celebrated soprano, Jessye Norman at New
York City's famous Riverside Church in Jessye Norman Sings for the Healing
of Aids that aired on PBS in the fall of 1997. Mr. Smith is equally as
comfortable in musical theatre having recently performed the role of Joe in
the Sacramento Music Theatre's production of Showboat. This fall Mr. Smith
will reprise the role of Joe in Showboat at the Marriott Theatre in
Lincolnshire, Illinois. |
Upcoming
engagements
|
| Joe |
SHOWBOAT |
Marriott Theatre, Lincolnshire,
IL |
Opera roles performed
|
| Joe |
SHOWBOAT |
Sacramento Music Circus |
|
| Crown/Jake |
MALMO SYMFONI
PORGY & BESS |
Malmo Vaxjo, Sweden |
|
| Crown |
PORGY & BESS |
Knoxville Symphony
Orchestra |
|
| Crown/Jake |
PORGY & BESS |
Festival Arts in Itu, Brazil |
|
| Yamadori |
MADAME BUTTERFLY |
Opera Therater of Rochester |
|
| John Tubman |
HARRIET TUBMAN |
Opera Ebony |
|
| Tonio |
I PAGLIACCI
|
Opera Theatre of Rochester |
|
Roles learned
|
| Valentin
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FAUST
|
| Count Almaviva
|
LE NOZZE DI FIGARO |
| Silvio I |
PAGLIACCI
|
| Germont |
LA TRAVIATA |
| Eugene |
EUGENE ONÊGIN |
| Peter
|
HANSEL UND GRETEL |
| Figaro
|
IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA |
| Bob
|
THE OLD MAID AND THE THIEF |
| Dr. Malatesta
|
DON PASQUALE |
| Marcello
|
LA BOHÈME |
| Sharpless
|
MADAMA BUTTERFLY |
Recital/Oratorio/Orchestral engagements
|
PORGY & BESS with Chicago Sinfonietta (Chicago),
Switzerland and Germany (Europe) |
1999 |
|
CARMINA BURANA with Finger Lakes Community Chorale at
Performing Arts Center, Canadaigua, New York |
1999 |
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MESSIAH with Virginia Symphony at Harrison Opera
Theater, Norfolk, Virginia |
1998 |
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PORGY & BESS with Eesti Philharmonia at Torva,
Estonia |
1998 |
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SONGS OF TRAVEL with Largly Ludwig at Kilbourn Hall,
Eastman School of Music Rochester, New York |
1997 |
|
PORGY & BESS with Long Island Philharmonic, Long
Island, New York |
1998 |
|
CORONATION MASS (Mozart) with Rochester Oratorio
Society, Rochester, New York |
1997 |
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FANTASIA ON A CHRISTMAS CAROL Rochester Philharmonic
Orchestra and Chorus |
1996 |
Competitions/Awards
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| Winner |
New York Vocal Artist Competition
|
1995 |
| Semi-finalist
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American Traditions Competition |
1995
|
| Finalist |
Bel Canto Vocal Fund
|
1994
|
| Finalist |
Singer's Resource Service Competition
|
1994 |
Training/Education
|
| International Institute of Vocal Arts, Chiari,
Italy |
1995 |
| Master Classes with Sherrill Milnes, Regina
Resnick, and Janet Bookspan |
|
| Brereton International Music Symposium,
England |
1994
|
| Master Classes with Thomas Hampson, Horst
Günter and Brigitte Fassbaender |
|
| Glimmerglass Opera Young American Artist
Program |
1993
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VOICE TEACHERS: Angela
Hawaleshka Thomas Paul
CONDUCTORS: Lucy Arner Stewart Robertson Roger Wilhelm Daniel Beckwith James Walker
COACHES: Lucy Arner Sherrill Milnes Wayne Sanders Gary Kudo Elaine Rinaldi Mara
Waldman Karen Lindstedt Steward Robertson Roger Wilhelm Louis Menendez |
Master of Music, Voice Performance
Eastman School of Music
Bachelor of Arts in Music Education and Voice -- Talladega College |
Reviews
|
| Show Boat - Sacramento Music Circus |
"In the supporting role of Joe, a
menial member of the Showboat's crew, Derrick Smith sang 'Ol Man River'
with such conviction and musicality it literally stopped the show." Sherman
Spencer, San Joaquin County Record, (Stockton, CA) August 2001
"Deckhand Joe (Derrick Smith) offers a resonant voice in 'Old Man
River' that in the second act got the audience out of their seats for a
standing ovation." Saunthy Nicolson-Singh, The Appeal-Democrat
(Marysville, CA) August 24, 2001
"At the top of the list is Derrick Smith, as Joe, a deck hand on the
Cotton Blossom. His 'Old Man River' is a show-stopper and he deservedly
receives accolades at the end of the show." Bev Sykes, Davis
Enterprise, (Davis, CA) August 2001
"… as lazy but loving black dock hand Joe, baritone Derrick Smith
brought down the house with a slow, direct rendering of 'Ol Man
River'." Richard Bammer, The Vacaville Reporter, (Vacaville, CA)
August 2001 |
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