Marshunda Smith

Bio

Welcome to the captivating world of music under the baton of PostPardon: the Opera’s and Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra’s newest Music Director and Conductor, Marshunda Smith. Having spent nearly two decades as a New England resident, Marshunda seeks to brings a vibrant and diverse musical background to the Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra. Her journey through the world of music is a testament to her unwavering passion and dedication to the art form and the artists behind it.

Originally hailing from Tennessee, Marshunda’s love affair with music began when she picked up the cello in the 6th grade, initially driven by a teenage crush but soon discovering her true love for the instrument. She went on to earn her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, setting the stage for her musical journey.

While teaching at a local high school, Marshunda’s enthusiasm for conducting and teaching music blossomed. This newfound passion led her to pursue a Master’s degree in Orchestral Conducting with a focus on Music Education at the University of Southern Maine. Throughout her journey, Marshunda has been fortunate to receive mentorship from conductors such as James Fellenbaum, Victor Yampolsky, Robert Lehmann, Harold Farberman, Richard Rosenberg, Gregory Pritchard, Adrian Gnam and Philip Greenberg.

During her time in Maine, Marshunda’s conducting talents shone as she led youth orchestras guest conducted at various music festivals in the state. However, her musical journey ultimately brought her to the Boston area, where she established herself in the North Shore community while maintaining connections in Maine and New Hampshire.

Marshunda’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of classical music led her to co-found the groundbreaking No-Name Orchestra of Boston. This innovative ensemble challenges the norm by bringing together soloists and orchestra members to perform works with no rehearsals, fostering spontaneous and captivating musical experiences. Now in its 9th year, the No-Name Orchestra continues to captivate audiences with its unique approach, performing at least three times a year across the Boston metro area.

In February of 2018, Marshunda made history by guest conducting the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, becoming the orchestra’s second female conductor in two decades and the first African American conductor in its 70-year history. 2018 was a significant year for Marshunda as she enchanted audiences across the Boston area with her Coquettish Dances program, a chamber music sensation. This program resonated with her hometown in Tennessee, when she returned to offer her first concert in Chattanooga in two decades, releasing Coquettish Dances as an album soon after. Her album can be found on Amazon and Spotify.

Beyond her musical endeavors, Marshunda is a dedicated educator, inspiring the next generation of musicians. From 2014 til 2024 she passed on her unique blend of passion and quirkiness to her students at the Waldorf School in Beverly, MA. Also, since 1998, Marshunda has maintained a private music studio for violin, viola, and cello students. In addition, Marshunda shares her wealth of knowledge by mentoring fellow Waldorf teachers across the United States, and she is currently working on her first book, further solidifying her legacy in the world of music education.

Her approachability and genuine love for music and education are evident in every note she conducts (sometimes dancing on the podium), and every moment of her teaching students! as she brings together the orchestra and the audience.

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