Dr. Andrew Smith

Dr. Andrew Smith, bass-baritone, is a native Washingtonian. He graduated from George Mason University (GMU) in 2014 with a Bachelor of Music Degree in Vocal Performance, studying with Professor Samuel L. E. Bonds. During his time at George Mason University, he performed the roles of Balthazar in Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors, Bartolo in W. A. Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Sarastro in W. A. Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte, and Betto in Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi. After completing his Bachelor’s at George Mason, he attended The Catholic University of America (CUA), where he earned his Master of Music Degree in 2018. While at CUA, he was heard as Blitch in Carlisle Floyd’s Susanna, Sparafucile in Verdi’s Rigoletto, Gianni Schicchi in Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi, and Raimondo in Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor. In 2025, he received his Doctorate of Musical Arts Degree from the University of Michigan, studying with Mr. Daniel Washington. While at the University of Michigan, he was heard in the role of Don Giovanni in Mozart’s Don Giovanni, Thalasso in David Hanlon’s The Pigeon Keeper, Peter in Humperdinck’s Hänsel und Gretel.

His doctoral research explores community and culture in vocal music, specifically examining the influence of African American artists, sacred texts, and the significance of ensemble singing within the genre. Using performance as the primary research method, Dr. Smith has and will continue to analyze community and culture through recitals, productions, his own arrangements, original compositions, and recording projects designed to enrich both the performers' and the audience's sensorium.

Throughout the years, Dr. Smith has been heard as a bass soloist for Handel’s Messiah and Haydn’s Die Schöpfung in the Washington, DC area at various churches. He has also performed as the bass soloist in other oratorios and choral-orchestral works across the country, including Schubert’s Stabat Mater (2023) and Beethoven’s 9th Symphony (2024) with Colby College, Elijah in Mendelssohn’s Elijah with the Georgetown Chorale (2023) and Hillsdale College (2024) and the bass soloist for with The Washington Chorus’ presentation of This Love Between Us by Reena Esmail (2025).

Dr. Smith continues to share his musical talents through various compositions and arrangements for the community and his gospel group, The Genesis Music Ministry. Some of their original music is available on all digital streaming platforms. He also serves as an assistant conductor for the Men of Color Chorale in Washington, DC, and has founded ASMITHMUSIC LLC, an arts organization.

Dr. Smith founded ASMITHMUSIC LLC in 2020, during the pandemic, to make music accessible to the community while maintaining physical distance. At that time, ASMITHMUSIC focused on providing music tutoring and consulting services. Since then, it has expanded its mission to make music accessible to all, providing tutoring, consulting, performances, and artist management. The organization aims to strengthen the community’s connection to the arts and cultivate a lasting appreciation for all types of music through arts education, partnerships with other organizations, and the creation of innovative performances and productions. This goal is accomplished through the Sam Bonds Chorale, one of ASMITHMUSIC’s primary performing ensembles, led by Dr. Andrew Smith as the conductor and Artistic Director.

Degrees:

• PhD, Musical Arts, The University of Michigan
• MM, Music, The Catholic University of America
• BA, Vocal Performance, George Mason University