About Allison Smith

Violinist Allison Smith is an adjunct violin professor at Cairn University and teaches privately in the Philadelphia area. She also performs with several regional orchestras, including holding the principal second violinist position in the Pennsylvania Chamber Orchestra, and is a substitute musician with the Minnesota Opera Orchestra. She has taught private music lessons for nearly a decade and enjoys working with students of all ages and skill levels. She is passionate about sharing her love for music with the next generation of musicians and believes that music is a catalyst for transformation both personally and on a larger scale. Her goal as a teacher is to adapt to the unique interests and needs of each student so that students can thrive, see their progress, and enjoy music-making.

Allison received her B.M. in Music Education from Grove City College (’21), where she studied with Rochelle Agnew and was a 2020-2021 winner of their Concerto Competition. Allison then attended Penn State University (PSU) for her M.M. in Violin Performance (’23), where she was a Graduate Teaching Assistant studying with James Lyon, continuing on to complete a Professional Performance Certificate in 2024. At PSU, she held leadership positions in the university orchestras, received the Creative Achievement Award, and enjoyed frequent collaborations in chamber music both with fellow students and faculty members.

Allison’s most recent endeavors include her work with the Kalmia Piano Trio, performing as concertmaster at Carnegie Hall for CCM artist Lauren Daigle, and premiering new musical works at PSU and Wintergreen Music Festival. She has spent summers at festivals in Chicago, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Idaho.