Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Opera

 

Carol Smith was born on May 15, 1985, in New York City. She grew up in a family of musicians, with her mother being a pianist and her father a cellist. From a young age, Carol showed a natural talent for music and began taking piano lessons at the age of five. As she grew older, Carol's love for music expanded beyond the piano, and she began to explore other instruments. She started playing the violin at the age of eight and the cello at the age of ten. By the time she was in high school, Carol was proficient in all three instruments and was already performing in local orchestras and chamber groups. After graduating from high school, Carol attended the Juilliard School in New York City, where she studied piano, violin, and cello. During her time at Juilliard, Carol was a standout student, winning numerous awards and competitions. She was also selected to perform in several prestigious concerts, including the Juilliard Orchestra's performance at Carnegie Hall. After graduating from Juilliard, Carol began her professional career as a classical musician. She quickly gained a reputation as a versatile and talented performer, and she was soon in demand as a soloist and chamber musician. She performed with some of the world's leading orchestras, including the New York Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the London Symphony Orchestra. One of Carol's most memorable performances was her solo debut with the New York Philharmonic in 2010. She performed Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, also known as the "Emperor" concerto, to critical acclaim. The New York Times praised her "brilliant technique and musicality," and the performance was hailed as one of the highlights of the season. In addition to her solo performances, Carol was also a sought-after chamber musician. She performed with some of the world's leading ensembles, including the Emerson String Quartet and the Guarneri Quartet. She also founded her own chamber group, the Carol Smith Trio, which specialized in performing works by contemporary composers. Throughout her career, Carol received numerous awards and honors for her contributions to classical music. She was a recipient of the Avery Fisher Career Grant, which recognizes outstanding young musicians, and she was also awarded the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship, also known as the "genius grant." Despite her success as a classical musician, Carol remained committed to music education and outreach. She frequently gave masterclasses and workshops for young musicians, and she was a passionate advocate for music education in schools. She also founded the Carol Smith Foundation, which provides scholarships and support for young musicians from underprivileged backgrounds. Tragically, Carol's career was cut short when she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2015. Despite undergoing extensive treatment, she passed away in 2017 at the age of 32. Her death was a great loss to the classical music world, but her legacy lives on through her recordings and the many young musicians she inspired and supported.

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