Daniel Smith

Teaching Philosophy

I believe life is about becoming a well-rounded person, not just a well-rounded cellist. Besides individual lessons, group classes, and theory classes; I require students to work on their public speaking. I also ensure that we perform community service concerts at least twice a year.

Personal/Professional/Academic History

I currently live in Long Beach, California; and teach individual and group lessons in both Long Beach and Santa Monica.

I was a Valedictorian at Long Beach Polytechnic High School in 2007, and after deciding to become a professional cellist in my senior year of high school, I pursued a career in cello vigorously in my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at the University of Michigan, studying with Professor Richard Aaron. I finished these two degrees in four and a half years, and then decided to pursue a Doctorate at the University of Texas in Austin. I graduated in May of 2015. I spent my time after that performing as principal cellist of the Waco Symphony, teaching individual cello lessons, coaching chamber music, and performing with other local orchestras.

I decided to move back to my hometown in 2016, in order to be closer to family, and have been here ever since.

I am continuing to build my private teaching studio, and am also working to create a new musical arts organization in town called The Infinite Stage.

I studied the Suzuki Method with both Dr. Laurie Scott, Dr. Alice Ann O’neill, and Dr. Tanya Carey; and have been trained through book 4.