MEET THE ORCHESTRA

William Ford-Smith is a professional violist who grew up in Queens, NY.  Mr. Ford-Smith received his B.M. from The Eastman School of Music in 2014.  He studied under George Taylor, Associate Professor of Viola, and participated in the Honors Chamber Program with the Ying Quartet.  While at Eastman Mr. Ford-Smith won the Honors Chamber competition in 2011.  He continued his education at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University and received a Professional Performers Certificate in 2019 while studying with Ralph Fielding, Distinguished Artist in Residence of viola. He attended Kent Blossom Summer Music Festival in the summer of 2011 and 2012 where he was able to play side by side with the Cleveland Orchestra. Mr. Ford-Smith has had the opportunity to perform chamber, solo and orchestral repertoire in Europe while attending Assisi Summer Music Festival in 2014 and AIMS Graz in the summers of 2016 and 2017.  During the summer of 2019 he participated at TMF in Houston, TX.  He had a section position with The Symphony of Westchester and has been a recurring substitute for the Binghamton Philharmonic.  Following a substitute position with Symphoria and finding a love for the city of Syracuse he is now going to participate in the full 2020-21 season.