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'''William Stephen''' '''“Steve”''' '''Smith''' (born December 18, 1950) is an American [[voice teacher]], author and [[baritone]] singer. He is a Professor of Voice and Opera at the [[Bienen School of Music]] of [[Northwestern University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/faculty/profiles/w.-stephen-smith.html |title=Faculty Profile: W. Stephen Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>, voice faculty for the Ryan Opera Center of [[Lyric Opera of Chicago]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter/about#./Faculty |title=Ryan Opera Center: Faculty |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Lyric Opera of Chicago |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref> and [[Aspen Music Festival and School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/students-welcome/artist-faculty/w-stephen-smith-1/ |title=Artist-Faculty: W. Stephen Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Aspen Music Festival and School |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref> and founder/director of the Naked Voice Institute<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/summer-session/institutes-masterclasses-symposia/summer-voice-institute.html |title=Summer Session: Institutes, Master Classes and Symposia: Voice Institute |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>.
'''William Stephen''' '''“Steve”''' '''Smith''' (born December 18, 1950) is an American [[voice teacher]], author and [[baritone]] singer. He is a Professor of Voice and Opera at the [[Bienen School of Music]] of [[Northwestern University]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/faculty/profiles/w.-stephen-smith.html |title=Faculty Profile: W. Stephen Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>, voice faculty for the Ryan Opera Center of [[Lyric Opera of Chicago]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter/about#./Faculty |title=Ryan Opera Center: Faculty |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Lyric Opera of Chicago |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref> and [[Aspen Music Festival and School]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.aspenmusicfestival.com/students-welcome/artist-faculty/w-stephen-smith-1/ |title=Artist-Faculty: W. Stephen Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Aspen Music Festival and School |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref> and founder/director of the Naked Voice Institute.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/academics/summer-session/institutes-masterclasses-symposia/summer-voice-institute.html |title=Summer Session: Institutes, Master Classes and Symposia: Voice Institute |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-05-05}}</ref>


== Early life ==
== Early life ==
Smith was born in [[Jonesboro, Arkansas]] on December 18, 1950, the son of Buel Smith and Jolene (née Hooton)<ref name=CCC2005>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Fred |date=2005-06-30 |title=This Is Our Mr. Smith |newspaper=Clay County Courier |location=Corning, Arkansas}}</ref>. He was raised in [[Pocahontas, Arkansas]] and [[Corning, Arkansas]]<ref name=CCC2005 />. His father owned a nearby [[Ford]] dealership<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2013-02-01 |title=Obituary: Buel Smith |url=http://www.thedailycitizen.com/obituaries/article_7f9bff45-8770-5568-be61-b3b76e378e5d.html |newspaper=The Daily Citizen |location=Searcy, Arkansas |access-date=2016-05-05 |subscription=yes}}</ref>.
Smith was born in [[Jonesboro, Arkansas]] on December 18, 1950, the son of Buel Smith and Jolene (née Hooton)<ref name=CCC2005>{{cite news |last=Martin |first=Fred |date=2005-06-30 |title=This Is Our Mr. Smith |newspaper=Clay County Courier |location=Corning, Arkansas}}</ref>. He was raised in [[Pocahontas, Arkansas]] and [[Corning, Arkansas]].<ref name=CCC2005 /> His father owned a nearby [[Ford]] dealership.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2013-02-01 |title=Obituary: Buel Smith |url=http://www.thedailycitizen.com/obituaries/article_7f9bff45-8770-5568-be61-b3b76e378e5d.html |newspaper=The Daily Citizen |location=Searcy, Arkansas |access-date=2016-05-05 |subscription=yes}}</ref>


As Smith’s father did not approve of his musical interests as a child, his first job was mowing a neighbor’s lawn every week in order to be able to afford to pay for piano lessons on his own<ref name=CCC2005 />.
As Smith’s father did not approve of his musical interests as a child, his first job was mowing a neighbor’s lawn every week in order to be able to afford to pay for piano lessons on his own.<ref name=CCC2005 />


==Education and early career==
==Education and early career==
Smith was [[valedictorian]] of the [[Corning High School (Arkansas)|Corning High School]] class of 1968<ref name=CCC2005 />. After graduating from high school, he attended [[Harding University]], where he majored in music (in further defiance of his father’s wishes)<ref name=CCC2005 />, graduating with a [[B.A.]] in 1972<ref name=Harding>{{cite magazine |last=Marcussen |first=Jennifer L. |date=Spring 2006 |title=Finding One’s True Voice: Juilliard’s W. Stephen Smith Accompanies His Students on a Journey of Self-Discovery |magazine=Harding |location=Searcy, Arkansas |publisher=Harding University |volume=14 |issue=2}}</ref>. Smith’s voice teacher at Harding was Erle T. Moore<ref name=SmithBio>{{cite web |url=http://www.wstephensmith.com/bio.html |title=W. Stephen Smith: Biography |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=W. Stephen Smith |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref>. He continued his studies at the [[University of Arkansas]], studying voice with Richard Brothers and graduating with an [[Master of Music|M.M.]] in voice in 1975<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2012-11-29 |title=Smith to Receive Honorary Degree for Revolutionary Voice Teaching |newspaper=Clay County Courier |location=Corning, Arkansas}}</ref>. Upon completion of his master’s degree, Smith was hired as a one-year sabbatical replacement choir director at [[Oklahoma Christian University]], and remained on the faculty when a professorship was created for him the following year<ref name=NV>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=W. Stephen |last2=Chipman |first2=Michael |date=2007 |title=The Naked Voice: A Wholistic Approach to Singing |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195300505}}</ref>{{rp|7}}. His teaching responsibilities included voice lessons, music theory, musicianship, vocal pedagogy and stage directing of student operas and musicals<ref name=NV />{{rp|7}}. During his first year at OC, Smith became interested in the pedagogy of Inez Lunsford Silberg, who taught voice at the nearby [[Oklahoma City University]]. In order to study with Silberg, Smith enrolled in OKCU’s [[Master of Performing Arts|M.P.A.]] program in opera performance, taking classes while continuing to serve on the faculty of OC, and graduating in 1981<ref name=CCC2005 />. Following the completion of his second master’s degree, Smith remained on the faculty of OC until 1987, when he was hired as the chair of the voice department of St. Louis Conservatory<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1987-06-12 |title=Professor Takes Post |url=http://newsok.com/article/2188979 |newspaper=The Oklahoman |location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref>, a position he held until that institution closed in 1990<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webster.edu/community-music-school/about/ |title=About the Community Music School |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Webster University |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref>.
Smith was [[valedictorian]] of the [[Corning High School (Arkansas)|Corning High School]] class of 1968.<ref name=CCC2005 /> After graduating from high school, he attended [[Harding University]], where he majored in music (in further defiance of his father’s wishes)<ref name=CCC2005 />, graduating with a [[B.A.]] in 1972.<ref name=Harding>{{cite magazine |last=Marcussen |first=Jennifer L. |date=Spring 2006 |title=Finding One’s True Voice: Juilliard’s W. Stephen Smith Accompanies His Students on a Journey of Self-Discovery |magazine=Harding |location=Searcy, Arkansas |publisher=Harding University |volume=14 |issue=2}}</ref> Smith’s voice teacher at Harding was Erle T. Moore.<ref name=SmithBio>{{cite web |url=http://www.wstephensmith.com/bio.html |title=W. Stephen Smith: Biography |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=W. Stephen Smith |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref> He continued his studies at the [[University of Arkansas]], studying voice with Richard Brothers and graduating with an [[Master of Music|M.M.]] in voice in 1975.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=2012-11-29 |title=Smith to Receive Honorary Degree for Revolutionary Voice Teaching |newspaper=Clay County Courier |location=Corning, Arkansas}}</ref> Upon completion of his master’s degree, Smith was hired as a one-year sabbatical replacement choir director at [[Oklahoma Christian University]], and remained on the faculty when a professorship was created for him the following year.<ref name=NV>{{cite book |last1=Smith |first1=W. Stephen |last2=Chipman |first2=Michael |date=2007 |title=The Naked Voice: A Wholistic Approach to Singing |location=New York |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=9780195300505}}</ref>{{rp|7}} His teaching responsibilities included voice lessons, music theory, musicianship, vocal pedagogy and stage directing of student operas and musicals.<ref name=NV />{{rp|7}} During his first year at OC, Smith became interested in the pedagogy of Inez Lunsford Silberg, who taught voice at the nearby [[Oklahoma City University]]. In order to study with Silberg, Smith enrolled in OKCU’s [[Master of Performing Arts|M.P.A.]] program in opera performance, taking classes while continuing to serve on the faculty of OC, and graduating in 1981.<ref name=CCC2005 /> Following the completion of his second master’s degree, Smith remained on the faculty of OC until 1987, when he was hired as the chair of the voice department of St. Louis Conservatory,<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=1987-06-12 |title=Professor Takes Post |url=http://newsok.com/article/2188979 |newspaper=The Oklahoman |location=Oklahoma City, Oklahoma |access-date=2016-05-08}}</ref> a position he held until that institution closed in 1990.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.webster.edu/community-music-school/about/ |title=About the Community Music School |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Webster University |access-date=2016-05-07}}</ref>


==Career==
==Career==


Smith moved to [[Houston]], Texas in August of 1990 upon being appointed to the faculty of [[Moores School of Music]] of the [[University of Houston]]. In 1992, he was hired as Voice Instructor of the [[Houston Grand Opera]] Studio. In 1996, he joined the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School. In 1998, Smith was appointed to the faculty of The [[Juilliard School]]. Smith resigned from the University of Houston but retained his position with Houston Grand Opera, commuting weekly between New York and Houston in order to accommodate his students. He resigned from Houston Grand Opera in 2003<ref name=CCC2005 />.
Smith moved to [[Houston]], Texas in August of 1990 upon being appointed to the faculty of [[Moores School of Music]] of the [[University of Houston]]. In 1992, he was hired as Voice Instructor of the [[Houston Grand Opera]] Studio. In 1996, he joined the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School. In 1998, Smith was appointed to the faculty of The [[Juilliard School]]. Smith resigned from the University of Houston but retained his position with Houston Grand Opera, commuting weekly between New York and Houston in order to accommodate his students. He resigned from Houston Grand Opera in 2003.<ref name=CCC2005 />


In 2011, Smith was recruited to the faculty of Northwestern University<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.claudiafriedlander.com/the-liberated-voice/2011/02/congratulations-steve.html |title=Congratulations, Steve! |author=Friedlander, Claudia |website=The Liberated Voice |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/about/news/2011/w.-stephen-smith-joins-faculty-of-bienen-school-of-music.html |title=W. Stephen Smith Joins Faculty of Bienen School of Music |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref>. Subsequent to his appointment, he founded the Naked Voice Institute, a summer program of Northwestern University that instructs students in Smith’s pedagogy<ref>{{cite web |url= http://genebroberts.com/index.html |title=Gene B. Roberts |author=Roberts, Gene B. |website=Gene B. Roberts |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref>
In 2011, Smith was recruited to the faculty of Northwestern University.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.claudiafriedlander.com/the-liberated-voice/2011/02/congratulations-steve.html |title=Congratulations, Steve! |author=Friedlander, Claudia |website=The Liberated Voice |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.music.northwestern.edu/about/news/2011/w.-stephen-smith-joins-faculty-of-bienen-school-of-music.html |title=W. Stephen Smith Joins Faculty of Bienen School of Music |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Northwestern Bienen School of Music |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Subsequent to his appointment, he founded the Naked Voice Institute, a summer program of Northwestern University that instructs students in Smith’s pedagogy.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://genebroberts.com/index.html |title=Gene B. Roberts |author=Roberts, Gene B. |website=Gene B. Roberts |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref>


Prominent students Smith has instructed include [[Christine Brewer]].<ref name=NV />{{rp|39}}, [[Joyce DiDonato]]<ref name=HGOAlum>{{cite web |url=http://www.houstongrandopera.org/studio/studioartists#A_StudioAlumni |title=Studio Artists & Faculty |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Houston Grand Opera |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref>, [[Rod Gilfry]]<ref name=SmithBio />, [[Brian Mulligan]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2012/08/26/rising-stars-an-interview-with-brian-mulligan/ |title=Rising Stars: An Interview with Brian Mulligan |author=Burnett, William |website=Opera Warhorses |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> and [[Eric Owens (bass-baritone)|Eric Owens]]<ref name=HGOAlum />
Prominent students Smith has instructed include [[Christine Brewer]],<ref name=NV />{{rp|39}}, [[Joyce DiDonato]],<ref name=HGOAlum>{{cite web |url=http://www.houstongrandopera.org/studio/studioartists#A_StudioAlumni |title=Studio Artists & Faculty |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Houston Grand Opera |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> [[Rod Gilfry]],<ref name=SmithBio /> [[Brian Mulligan]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.operawarhorses.com/2012/08/26/rising-stars-an-interview-with-brian-mulligan/ |title=Rising Stars: An Interview with Brian Mulligan |author=Burnett, William |website=Opera Warhorses |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> and [[Eric Owens (bass-baritone)|Eric Owens]].<ref name=HGOAlum />


==Pedagogy==
==Pedagogy==
Since the early 19th century, vocal pedagogy has made use of the [[vocalise]] as a means to present to the student specific technical challenges with an aim to solving those challenges in order to make a sound of ever increasing quality and consistency.<ref>{{GroveOnline|Vocalise|Jander, Owen|July 16|2016|http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/29567}}</ref>
Since the early 19th century, vocal pedagogy has made use of the [[vocalise]] as a means to present to the student specific technical challenges with an aim to solving those challenges in order to make a sound of ever increasing quality and consistency.<ref>{{GroveOnline|Vocalise|Jander, Owen|July 16|2016|http://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/subscriber/article/grove/music/29567}}</ref>


Smith’s pedagogy differs from this tradition in that he has developed a series of six vocalises, which he trains in sequence<ref name=NV />{{rp|46}}, that he has designed to first isolate two specific activities that produce vocal sound: [[phonation]], as in conversational speech, and breath release, as in a [[Voice (phonetics)|voiced]] sigh<ref name=NV />{{rp|45}}. In isolation, these activities do not necessarily produce a pleasing or complete sound.<ref name=NV />{{rp|50}} Subsequent vocalises in Smith’s progression seek to achieve balance between these two forces.<ref name=NV />{{rp|46}}
Smith’s pedagogy differs from this tradition in that he has developed a series of six vocalises, which he trains in sequence,<ref name=NV />{{rp|46}} that he has designed to first isolate two specific activities that produce vocal sound: [[phonation]], as in conversational speech, and breath release, as in a [[Voice (phonetics)|voiced]] sigh.<ref name=NV />{{rp|45}} In isolation, these activities do not necessarily produce a pleasing or complete sound.<ref name=NV />{{rp|50}} Subsequent vocalises in Smith’s progression seek to achieve balance between these two forces.<ref name=NV />{{rp|46}}


Smith‘s first vocalise, a slow, [[sostenuto]] declamation of the phrase {{IPA|[niːneːnɑːnoːnuː]}} on a single pitch<ref name=NV />{{rp|51}}, isolates intention to speak as the primary force of tone generation.<ref name=NV />{{rp|52}}
Smith‘s first vocalise, a slow, [[sostenuto]] declamation of the phrase {{IPA|[niːneːnɑːnoːnuː]}} on a single pitch,<ref name=NV />{{rp|51}} isolates intention to speak as the primary force of tone generation.<ref name=NV />{{rp|52}}


His second vocalise, an ascending [[glissando]] followed by a descent from [[Degree (music)|scale degree]] five to scale degree one in [[Major scale|major]]<ref name=NV />{{rp|75}}, isolates the release of breath (as in [[Bernoulli's Principle]]) as the primary force of tone generation.<ref name=NV />{{rp|67}}
His second vocalise, an ascending [[glissando]] followed by a descent from [[Degree (music)|scale degree]] five to scale degree one in [[Major scale|major]],<ref name=NV />{{rp|75}} isolates the release of breath (as in [[Bernoulli's Principle]]) as the primary force of tone generation.<ref name=NV />{{rp|67}}


His third vocalise is a [[legato]] ascending and descending [[arpeggio|arpeggiation]] of a major [[Triad (music)|triad]]<ref name=NV />{{rp|81}}, utilizing the same [[phoneme|phonemes]] as the first vocalise.<ref name=NV />{{rp|81}}
His third vocalise is a [[legato]] ascending and descending [[arpeggio|arpeggiation]] of a major [[Triad (music)|triad]],<ref name=NV />{{rp|81}} utilizing the same [[phoneme|phonemes]] as the first vocalise.<ref name=NV />{{rp|81}}


His fourth vocalise trains the balanced onset of phonation through the performance of a sequence of detached tones on {{IPA|[ɑ]}}.<ref name=NV />{{rp|86}}
His fourth vocalise trains the balanced onset of phonation through the performance of a sequence of detached tones on {{IPA|[ɑ]}}.<ref name=NV />{{rp|86}}
Line 55: Line 55:
His fifth vocalise trains continuous breath release through slow, followed by rapid, arpeggiation of the interval of a [[perfect fourth]] on {{IPA|[ɑː]}}.<ref name=NV />{{rp|94}}
His fifth vocalise trains continuous breath release through slow, followed by rapid, arpeggiation of the interval of a [[perfect fourth]] on {{IPA|[ɑː]}}.<ref name=NV />{{rp|94}}


His sixth vocalise is a swift ascending major scale encompassing the range of a perfect [[eleventh]], followed by a descending arpeggio outlining a [[dominant seventh chord]] before returning to the [[Tonic (music)|tonic]], on {{IPA|[eː]}} for the first four tones, {{IPA|[ɑː]}} on tones five through eight and {{IPA|[oː]}} for the remainder of the vocalise<ref name=NV />{{rp|98}}, to promote flexibility and range extension.<ref name=NV />{{rp|99}}
His sixth vocalise is a swift ascending major scale encompassing the range of a perfect [[eleventh]], followed by a descending arpeggio outlining a [[dominant seventh chord]] before returning to the [[Tonic (music)|tonic]], on {{IPA|[eː]}} for the first four tones, {{IPA|[ɑː]}} on tones five through eight and {{IPA|[oː]}} for the remainder of the vocalise,<ref name=NV />{{rp|98}} to promote flexibility and range extension.<ref name=NV />{{rp|99}}


==Awards==
==Awards==
Line 64: Line 64:


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
Smith is married to the former Carol Christine Mannen.<ref name=CCC2005 /> and has two daughters, pastry chef<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/SweetTreatsbyEmily.MI/ |title=Sweet Treats by Emily |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Facebook |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Emily Smith Jobe<ref name=CCC2005 /> and singer/actress<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.abbycsmith.com/about |title=Abby C. Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Abby C. Smith |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Abby C. Smith<ref name=CCC2005 />
Smith is married to the former Carol Christine Mannen,<ref name=CCC2005 /> and has two daughters, pastry chef<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/SweetTreatsbyEmily.MI/ |title=Sweet Treats by Emily |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Facebook |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Emily Smith Jobe<ref name=CCC2005 /> and singer/actress<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.abbycsmith.com/about |title=Abby C. Smith |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |website=Abby C. Smith |access-date=2016-06-16}}</ref> Abby C. Smith.<ref name=CCC2005 />


==References==
==References==

Revision as of 17:12, 17 July 2016

Professor
W. Stephen Smith
Born
William Stephen Smith

(1950-12-18) December 18, 1950 (age 74)
Jonesboro, Arkansas
NationalityAmerican
Alma materHarding University (B.A.)
University of Arkansas (M.M.)
Oklahoma City University (M.P.A.)
Occupation(s)Professor of Voice and Opera at Bienen School of Music of Northwestern University
SpouseCarol Mannen Smith
ChildrenEmily Smith Jobe, Abby C. Smith
Parent(s)Buel and Jolene Smith
Websitewstephensmith.com

William Stephen “Steve” Smith (born December 18, 1950) is an American voice teacher, author and baritone singer. He is a Professor of Voice and Opera at the Bienen School of Music of Northwestern University,[1], voice faculty for the Ryan Opera Center of Lyric Opera of Chicago[2] and Aspen Music Festival and School[3] and founder/director of the Naked Voice Institute.[4]

Early life

Smith was born in Jonesboro, Arkansas on December 18, 1950, the son of Buel Smith and Jolene (née Hooton)[5]. He was raised in Pocahontas, Arkansas and Corning, Arkansas.[5] His father owned a nearby Ford dealership.[6]

As Smith’s father did not approve of his musical interests as a child, his first job was mowing a neighbor’s lawn every week in order to be able to afford to pay for piano lessons on his own.[5]

Education and early career

Smith was valedictorian of the Corning High School class of 1968.[5] After graduating from high school, he attended Harding University, where he majored in music (in further defiance of his father’s wishes)[5], graduating with a B.A. in 1972.[7] Smith’s voice teacher at Harding was Erle T. Moore.[8] He continued his studies at the University of Arkansas, studying voice with Richard Brothers and graduating with an M.M. in voice in 1975.[9] Upon completion of his master’s degree, Smith was hired as a one-year sabbatical replacement choir director at Oklahoma Christian University, and remained on the faculty when a professorship was created for him the following year.[10]: 7  His teaching responsibilities included voice lessons, music theory, musicianship, vocal pedagogy and stage directing of student operas and musicals.[10]: 7  During his first year at OC, Smith became interested in the pedagogy of Inez Lunsford Silberg, who taught voice at the nearby Oklahoma City University. In order to study with Silberg, Smith enrolled in OKCU’s M.P.A. program in opera performance, taking classes while continuing to serve on the faculty of OC, and graduating in 1981.[5] Following the completion of his second master’s degree, Smith remained on the faculty of OC until 1987, when he was hired as the chair of the voice department of St. Louis Conservatory,[11] a position he held until that institution closed in 1990.[12]

Career

Smith moved to Houston, Texas in August of 1990 upon being appointed to the faculty of Moores School of Music of the University of Houston. In 1992, he was hired as Voice Instructor of the Houston Grand Opera Studio. In 1996, he joined the faculty of the Aspen Music Festival and School. In 1998, Smith was appointed to the faculty of The Juilliard School. Smith resigned from the University of Houston but retained his position with Houston Grand Opera, commuting weekly between New York and Houston in order to accommodate his students. He resigned from Houston Grand Opera in 2003.[5]

In 2011, Smith was recruited to the faculty of Northwestern University.[13][14] Subsequent to his appointment, he founded the Naked Voice Institute, a summer program of Northwestern University that instructs students in Smith’s pedagogy.[15]

Prominent students Smith has instructed include Christine Brewer,[10]: 39 , Joyce DiDonato,[16] Rod Gilfry,[8] Brian Mulligan[17] and Eric Owens.[16]

Pedagogy

Since the early 19th century, vocal pedagogy has made use of the vocalise as a means to present to the student specific technical challenges with an aim to solving those challenges in order to make a sound of ever increasing quality and consistency.[18]

Smith’s pedagogy differs from this tradition in that he has developed a series of six vocalises, which he trains in sequence,[10]: 46  that he has designed to first isolate two specific activities that produce vocal sound: phonation, as in conversational speech, and breath release, as in a voiced sigh.[10]: 45  In isolation, these activities do not necessarily produce a pleasing or complete sound.[10]: 50  Subsequent vocalises in Smith’s progression seek to achieve balance between these two forces.[10]: 46 

Smith‘s first vocalise, a slow, sostenuto declamation of the phrase [niːneːnɑːnoːnuː] on a single pitch,[10]: 51  isolates intention to speak as the primary force of tone generation.[10]: 52 

His second vocalise, an ascending glissando followed by a descent from scale degree five to scale degree one in major,[10]: 75  isolates the release of breath (as in Bernoulli's Principle) as the primary force of tone generation.[10]: 67 

His third vocalise is a legato ascending and descending arpeggiation of a major triad,[10]: 81  utilizing the same phonemes as the first vocalise.[10]: 81 

His fourth vocalise trains the balanced onset of phonation through the performance of a sequence of detached tones on [ɑ].[10]: 86 

His fifth vocalise trains continuous breath release through slow, followed by rapid, arpeggiation of the interval of a perfect fourth on [ɑː].[10]: 94 

His sixth vocalise is a swift ascending major scale encompassing the range of a perfect eleventh, followed by a descending arpeggio outlining a dominant seventh chord before returning to the tonic, on [eː] for the first four tones, [ɑː] on tones five through eight and [oː] for the remainder of the vocalise,[10]: 98  to promote flexibility and range extension.[10]: 99 

Awards

Personal life

Smith is married to the former Carol Christine Mannen,[5] and has two daughters, pastry chef[22] Emily Smith Jobe[5] and singer/actress[23] Abby C. Smith.[5]

References

  1. ^ "Faculty Profile: W. Stephen Smith". Northwestern Bienen School of Music. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  2. ^ "Ryan Opera Center: Faculty". Lyric Opera of Chicago. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  3. ^ "Artist-Faculty: W. Stephen Smith". Aspen Music Festival and School. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  4. ^ "Summer Session: Institutes, Master Classes and Symposia: Voice Institute". Northwestern Bienen School of Music. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Martin, Fred (2005-06-30). "This Is Our Mr. Smith". Clay County Courier. Corning, Arkansas.
  6. ^ "Obituary: Buel Smith". The Daily Citizen. Searcy, Arkansas. 2013-02-01. Retrieved 2016-05-05. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |subscription= ignored (|url-access= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ a b Marcussen, Jennifer L. (Spring 2006). "Finding One's True Voice: Juilliard's W. Stephen Smith Accompanies His Students on a Journey of Self-Discovery". Harding. Vol. 14, no. 2. Searcy, Arkansas: Harding University.
  8. ^ a b c "W. Stephen Smith: Biography". W. Stephen Smith. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  9. ^ "Smith to Receive Honorary Degree for Revolutionary Voice Teaching". Clay County Courier. Corning, Arkansas. 2012-11-29.
  10. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Smith, W. Stephen; Chipman, Michael (2007). The Naked Voice: A Wholistic Approach to Singing. New York: Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780195300505.
  11. ^ "Professor Takes Post". The Oklahoman. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. 1987-06-12. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  12. ^ "About the Community Music School". Webster University. Retrieved 2016-05-07.
  13. ^ Friedlander, Claudia. "Congratulations, Steve!". The Liberated Voice. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  14. ^ "W. Stephen Smith Joins Faculty of Bienen School of Music". Northwestern Bienen School of Music. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  15. ^ Roberts, Gene B. "Gene B. Roberts". Gene B. Roberts. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  16. ^ a b "Studio Artists & Faculty". Houston Grand Opera. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  17. ^ Burnett, William. "Rising Stars: An Interview with Brian Mulligan". Opera Warhorses. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  18. ^ Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John, eds. (2001). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5. {{cite encyclopedia}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)‎
  19. ^ "Distinguished Alumni Academy 1999". Fulbright College of Arts & Sciences. Archived from the original on 2010-06-09. Retrieved 2016-05-08. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |dead-url= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  20. ^ "Harding, Smith to Receive Honorary Degrees at University of Arkansas Fall Commencement". University of Arkansas News. 2012-11-05. Retrieved 2016-05-05.
  21. ^ "Faculty" (pdf). Fanfare. No. 51. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University. p. 16. Retrieved 2016-05-08.
  22. ^ "Sweet Treats by Emily". Facebook. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
  23. ^ "Abby C. Smith". Abby C. Smith. Retrieved 2016-06-16.
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