Senior Spotlight: Justin Smith, Bass Trombone
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What is your current AYPO ensemble?
AYP
What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?
AYP in 2021-22 and 2022-23
Your advice for young musicians?
My biggest advice for younger musicians is to never give up. The idea of perseverance has gotten me through so much stuff both musically, academically, and mentally.
What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?
University of Virginia, Double Major in Economics and Commerce with a Concentration in Finance.
A favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?
Last year, the lights went out in the middle of Sibelius 2 and we kept performing.
What do you hope to do after graduation or your more long-term goals?
Even though I hope to be a part of UVA's McIntire School of Commerce, I hope to continue playing trombone in college and help encourage others to be a part of the performing arts as well. I also want to encourage people to always follow their passions because the best job is one where it feels like a hobby instead of a profession.
What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?
James Markey is my biggest inspiration because of both his trombone sound concept and his teaching style/philosophies that have helped me gain a greater understanding of who I am as a trombone player.