Jessica Smith
Director of Preparatory & Continuing Studies
Affiliate Artist in Voice

e-mail: jsmith25@uh.edu
office: 204
office phone: (713)743-3303
address: 120 School of Music Bldg, Houston, TX 77204-4017

Dr. Jessica L. Smith is the Director of Preparatory & Continuing Studies and an Affiliate Artist in Voice at the University of Houston. Smith holds bachelor degrees in Music Education and Vocal Performance from Ithaca College, a master’s in Vocal Performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory, and a Doctorate in Vocal Performance with a minor in Voice Science and Pedagogy from the University of Houston.

Smith’s solo performance credits include appearances with the Brazos Valley Symphony, the Opera Theatre of Weston, the Moores Opera Center, Orchestra X, the Foundation for Modern Music, Ars Lyrica Houston, and the Seagle Music Colony. Her performance as the off-coloratura soprano in PDQ Bach’s “The Seasonings” in PDQ Bach in Houston: We Have A Problem has been released by Acorn Media. Additionally, Smith sang the roles of Charito/Nymphette I for Houston Grand Opera’s promotional recording of Mark Adamo’s Lysistrata. Recently, she was the featured soloist in a recording of new works by Alice Parker conducted by the composer. A frequent soloist and recitalist, Smith has performed throughout the United States.

Smith’s extensive teaching experiences range from being a music educator in the New York State Public Schools, to being an Affiliate Artist at the University of Houston. Additionally, she has been on the faculty of the Preparatory & Continuing Studies Department (UH), the University of Missouri – Kansas City Conservatory Community Music and Dance Academy, and the Community School of Music and Arts in Ithaca, NY. She has been a guest speaker at Ithaca College, Sam Houston State University, a guest conductor for the Green Mountain District Music Festival in Vermont and the Assistant Director for the Ithaca Children’s Choir.

Currently in her third year as Director of Preparatory & Continuing Studies at the Moores School of Music, Smith has developed a new Professional Development Series for music educators. In addition, she has worked with the Abiola Initiative in Music Education to create a new community outreach program to bring music education to students who would not otherwise have access to music instruction. This program began in the fall of 2007 and is serving students in the Third Ward Head Start Program, UH Child Care Center, Yellowstone Academy, and Challenge Early College High School. As an administrator, Smith has served as the Assistant Director for the Preparatory & Continuing Studies Department (UH), the Office Coordinator and Summer Arts Coordinator for the Community School of Music & Art in Ithaca, NY, and as Choral Program Coordinator at Ithaca College.