Clarissa Smith

Originally from Kentucky, I began my singing career at seven years old in the church choir and began playing piano at 13.  I learned at a very young age the important role music would play in my life. It all started with singing in the choir. Soon, I realized the joy I felt when singing and playing music would be infectious in other parts of my life. I've been very fortunate to do some incredible things over the years including singing with my collegiate choir at Carnegie Hall in New York City as well as touring with them in Ireland. Music gave me a voice. It gave me a chance to communicate and reflect complex emotions I felt within myself but didn't know how to relate to others. There's no surprise that it became my passion to show and teach students what music can be for them. I am so lucky to have spent the first 6 years of my career in education teaching middle school students how

 to sing, the importance of singing, and how amazing it is to be in an ensemble of people working to achieve the same goals. I was even luckier to receive the chance to make the bold move to Minnesota with my boyfriend in the summer of 2022. I am so excited to begin my eighth year in education as well as this amazing new endeavor as a private vocal instructor. It's a feeling like no other to share my passion for the arts with my students and to watch as they grow their own passion and confidence in their own voice in this vast world.