Nicola Smith

Nicola Smith was born in Cornwall and grew up on the edge of Dartmoor. Her early music education was through choral singing and lessons in piano, violin and recorder. She was fortunate to go through secondary school at a musically vibrant time; touring abroad with her school orchestra, being involved in the John Loosemore Early Music Centre, and immersing herself in concert going at Dartington.

Nicola came to formal music training later than many, and took her degree at Dartington College of Arts studying Viola with Oliver Butterworth. As a viola player she has many years experience in orchestral and chamber music performance. She has performed with the Dartington Festival Orchestra, Opus 20, the Western Sinfonia and was a founder member of the South West Sinfonietta, working with conductors including Diego Masson, David Angus, Graham Jenkins, Andras Mihaly and Scott Stroman.

Nicola is a highly experienced teacher with over 20 years of teaching, coaching and community music making. Her eclectic taste in music has influenced her teaching and performing of music. She currently works with Zimbabwean master musician Chartwell Dutiro, arranging traditional songs for Chartwell and string quartet.