Kristi Smith

Hello! I'm Kristi and I LOVE the cello! I love playing and teaching others and helping students of all ages fall in love with it too! I've been playing for over 35 years and have been playing professionally and/or teaching for over 20 of them. 

I graduated in 2004 with a Bachelors Degree in Cello Performance with a Minor in Cello Pedagogy from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX where I earned a scholarship and was chosen to play for several honor recitals and contests. I studied under Dr Peter Kempter and Dr Carol Smith. I'm experienced in several different styles of cello playing and teaching so I believe that I can find the right way for you to learn the best!

Professionally I played in the Philharmonia of Greater Kansas City from 2005-2008. During that time I also played with several independent theater groups as the principal cellist for musicals. My favorite musical I've ever been a part of is "The Last Five Years" performed in the Coterie Theater at Crown Center in KC. I've recorded with several local artists on their CDs in the areas of Rap, Gospel, and Christian Contemporary. In 2004 I joined Kansas City's most popular Wedding Quartet: Forte. We play classical pieces and many pop tunes similar to that "Bridgerton" sound that everyone loves right now. Our Quartet also has recorded 3 different cds that are currently streamable on Spotify (Take One, Take Two, Take Three). When I'm not playing professionally, I volunteer at Antioch Bible Baptist Church in Gladstone, MO where I play on the Worship Team.

Starting in 2003 I taught at the Houston School of Performance as the Head of Orchestral Studies for 2 years before moving to Kansas City. From 2007-2018, I taught at the Northland Cathedral School of Music as the main Cello Teacher. After that, I opened a studio in my home where I taught several adults and HS students and helped them to achieve their goals while simultaneously playing with my Wedding Quartet on the weekends.

I believe that anyone can learn to play the cello and it's important to enjoy your lessons! From learning the proper classical methods to expressing yourself through pop tunes, we will work together to achieve the goals you have as well as challenging you to grow in your technique and musical abilities. My favorite students to teach are the ones that want to learn no matter their ability. As long as you are willing to practice and come ready to learn, we will get a long great!! I'm very patient with students who are putting in the work and are ready for their lessons. Any goal can be achieved with this attitude!

I teach students of all ages and abilities. If you've never even opened your cello case I'm happy to help you learn the basic fundamentals of how to hold it and start making a sound. If you are in High School and are wanting to know the finer methods of musicality, prepare for All-Region/State Auditions or any other competitions or even get ready for College Scholarship Auditions I'm very skilled and excited to help! Are you an adult and want to learn how to play with your church or from a chord chart or even just wanting to learn a new skill? I'm very experienced with teaching adults and tailor the lessons to what your goals are.