Stefan L. Smith
- Composer
- Music Department
- Actor
Meet Stefan L. Smith (he/him), a multi award winning film composer and violist hailing from Joliet, Illinois. Stefan's musical talents were recognized early on, as he earned a full tuition scholarship for his Bachelor degrees in Music Composition and Viola Performance from DePaul University's School of Music. He was also awarded a full tuition scholarship to pursue a Master's degree in Viola Performance at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music, studying with violist pedagogue Donald McInnes. It's no surprise he made the move to Los Angeles in 2008, where he continues to hone his craft.
Stefan's musical prowess knows no bounds. He's a true multitasker, composing music for film, TV, video games, concert halls, R&B, pop, and even EDM, all while maintaining an active professional performance/recording career, holding the seat of principal (and/or guest principal) violist with some of the most prestigious American orchestras such as the Hollywood Studio Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Academy's Oscars Orchestra, and many more. He's even been featured as an on-screen musician, appearing in major productions like the 94th Academy Awards, Modern Family, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The West Wing and more.
The awards and recognition that Stefan has received throughout his career is a testament to his talents. Most recently, he won the 2022 Hollywood Music In Media Award for Best Score in an Animated Short for his score to She Dreams At Sunrise. He is also the recipient of the the 2021 ASCAP David Rose Award for Film Scoring and the National Award of Merit at the National Fine Arts Festival of 2000. In 2013, he was invited to join the UC Berkeley Young Musicians Program Faculty, where he taught violin, viola, and music composition. He is also a sponsored artist with leading companies such as William Harris Lee, a former Maestro Foundation Performing Artist, Coda Bow International Performing Artist, and Remic Microphones.
In 2019, Stefan was commissioned to write a symphonic work for the Chicago Sinfonietta which premiered at Orchestra Hall. He was also commissioned by the Colburn School in 2022 to compose a concert work for the principal bassoonist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Andrew Brady. Stefan is also an Artistic Director for Fever Up's "Candlelight" chamber series in Los Angeles and the Metropolis Chamber Musicians.
With his striking viola performances, heart-stirring compositions and an unwavering passion for music, Stefan L. Smith is truly a unique force within the global music and film industries.
Smith is represented by Spectra Creative Agency in Los Angeles, CA.
Stefan's musical prowess knows no bounds. He's a true multitasker, composing music for film, TV, video games, concert halls, R&B, pop, and even EDM, all while maintaining an active professional performance/recording career, holding the seat of principal (and/or guest principal) violist with some of the most prestigious American orchestras such as the Hollywood Studio Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, The Academy's Oscars Orchestra, and many more. He's even been featured as an on-screen musician, appearing in major productions like the 94th Academy Awards, Modern Family, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The West Wing and more.
The awards and recognition that Stefan has received throughout his career is a testament to his talents. Most recently, he won the 2022 Hollywood Music In Media Award for Best Score in an Animated Short for his score to She Dreams At Sunrise. He is also the recipient of the the 2021 ASCAP David Rose Award for Film Scoring and the National Award of Merit at the National Fine Arts Festival of 2000. In 2013, he was invited to join the UC Berkeley Young Musicians Program Faculty, where he taught violin, viola, and music composition. He is also a sponsored artist with leading companies such as William Harris Lee, a former Maestro Foundation Performing Artist, Coda Bow International Performing Artist, and Remic Microphones.
In 2019, Stefan was commissioned to write a symphonic work for the Chicago Sinfonietta which premiered at Orchestra Hall. He was also commissioned by the Colburn School in 2022 to compose a concert work for the principal bassoonist of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Andrew Brady. Stefan is also an Artistic Director for Fever Up's "Candlelight" chamber series in Los Angeles and the Metropolis Chamber Musicians.
With his striking viola performances, heart-stirring compositions and an unwavering passion for music, Stefan L. Smith is truly a unique force within the global music and film industries.
Smith is represented by Spectra Creative Agency in Los Angeles, CA.