Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Smith
Hi Natalie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve been a musician all my life, singing in the church choir when I was little, taking piano lessons beginning at age 5, singing in a professional children’s choir starting at age 8, playing flute in the school band starting at age 11. My mother is a professional musician as well, and my father is also talented, although he mostly keeps that to himself. There was always music in my life. I never seriously considered any career other than teaching and playing music, although I’ve had other interests. After high school, I attend the University of Georgia and earned a bachelor’s degree in music theory and a master’s degree in flute performance. While in college, I not only played classical flute but also studied jazz and Latin music. Most of that study was real life experience in the clubs and restaurants of Athens, GA. I attended and played in a weekly jazz jam at The Foundry in Athens, where I met Carl Lindberg, and he soon asked me to play in his Afro-Cuban/Latin band Grogus. I played in that group for the next 13 years, and a highlight of my tenure was traveling as a band to St. Croix in 2010. I also played in the UGA Salsa Band, and those two ensembles gave me experience and on-stage confidence that would serve as an influential basis for my growth as a musician. I also maintained my classical studies in college and began playing in regional orchestras in 2005. I moved to Atlanta for a year, teaching piano and flute with the Georgia State Neighborhood Music School among other schools, then to Charlotte, NC, where I was a flute specialist at JL Smith and Co, a premiere flute seller. I moved back to Athens after a short time with my first baby on the way. I got back to teaching and playing while figuring out how to be a mom. When my daughter went to preschool, I began substitute teaching there, and I discovered a love for teaching young children. I spent the next several years teaching preschool, gave birth to my second child, and played flute as much as possible, including orchestras, musical theater, weddings, churches, you name it. In 2019 it was time for a change. I started my own LLC, Music with Natalie, and focused on private teaching and children’s music classes in the community. Along the way, I also completed a yoga certification program, including children’s yoga, and incorporated movement into my music classes for kids. In 2019 I also founded HEART Music, a non-profit organization whose mission is to make high quality music education accessible to all youth in Athens. I served as the executive director from 2019-2022, then 2023-2024 and have been the flute teacher since inception. We now employ 12 teachers and serve 5 public schools in the Clarke County School District. I have also been busy playing with Brazilian Forro band Bichos Vivos, www.bichosvivosmusic.com, and a rock band for kids called The PG Show, www.thepgshow.com. My newest venture is learning web design, including basic coding, and offering my services to anyone who needs web help but especially to artists who love what they do, know they need an online presence, but don’t want to or don’t have time to create a website for their work. I now teach about 25 weekly private lessons, spend time with my partner, bassist Derek Warren, and my two kids, learn about web design, and make as much music as possible.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Probably the biggest challenge has been keeping up confidence in myself as a player and in my path as a musician. Choosing a life that is atypical is a beautiful path, and I am so glad to be living the life of a professional musician, but it comes with the acceptance that I have to make my own way. Trusting that the next gig is around the corner or that I am a good/popular enough teacher to attract students is tough when the bank account is low and bills are coming in. Finding and funding my own healthcare, retirement situation, travel/leisure opportunities, and my kids’ interests and activities is challenging, but it also forces me to be creative in planning and managing my resources.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I think what sets me apart from other flutists is my interest in playing many styles of music and my ability to successfully nuance my playing to fully enter into a particular style. I like the process of listening and figuring out how to make my playing fit that style. Whether it’s a Tchaikovsky ballet performance, a jazz set, a Middle Eastern ensemble gig, a Brazilian forro show, a Southern rock feature, whatever – I want to play for that style, and I do it by listening to lots of recordings, to my band/pit mates, and to myself.
What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
It is so hard for me to predict the future like that. Definitely not my strong suit, but I am noticing a huge trend toward country music’s popularity as well as elements of that style creeping into an increasing number of other genres. I also think we might eventually see a decrease in people’s interest in watching (often sensational solo) music videos on social media platforms and a resurgence of people wanting to see live music, the real deal in person. …or maybe that’s just wishful thinking. I’m AM good at that.
Pricing:
- web design services $50/hr
- private music lessons $70/hr
- The PG Show – available on request
- Bichos Vivos – available on request
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.musicwithnatalie.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliejosmith
- Other: https://www.heartmusicathens.org
Image Credits
Jake Zerkel, Cassie Rae, Jason Thrasher
