Sean Smith - Dansville
By: Maureen McGuire
Updated: March 17, 2009
From his classroom studio at the Eastman Community Music School, Sean Smith is taking his vocal talent to new levels.
This Dansville High School senior is fiercely committed to his music. He studies in Rochester once a week, and has been a member of the Eastman Youth Chamber Choir for four years. He's starred in school plays and musicals, plays the saxophone in the school band, and composes music as well.
Eastman vocal teacher Derrick Smith has worked with Sean for two years. "Most of my students are pretty good. But he's exceptional because he really loves music. I mean he loves it, loves it, loves it. I see him as a complete musician and by that I mean someone who can sort of do it all. And that's what I see in his future."
Smith says, "I want to teach others how to sing. I believe that some people have this thought that they can't sing but I think everybody can and I want to help them find that, just as I did."
Sean's most cherished musical memory so far, singing with a professional choir.
It happened when he auditioned for the music program at houghton college.
During the visit, he was invited to sing with them. "The fact that everybody was singing with as much love of the music as I was, I just burst into tears while I was singing the song, and I will never forget that day."
Sean will study musical education in college but has not yet settled on a career path.
He knows the music will take him where he needs to go.
This Dansville High School senior is fiercely committed to his music. He studies in Rochester once a week, and has been a member of the Eastman Youth Chamber Choir for four years. He's starred in school plays and musicals, plays the saxophone in the school band, and composes music as well.
Eastman vocal teacher Derrick Smith has worked with Sean for two years. "Most of my students are pretty good. But he's exceptional because he really loves music. I mean he loves it, loves it, loves it. I see him as a complete musician and by that I mean someone who can sort of do it all. And that's what I see in his future."
Smith says, "I want to teach others how to sing. I believe that some people have this thought that they can't sing but I think everybody can and I want to help them find that, just as I did."
Sean's most cherished musical memory so far, singing with a professional choir.
It happened when he auditioned for the music program at houghton college.
During the visit, he was invited to sing with them. "The fact that everybody was singing with as much love of the music as I was, I just burst into tears while I was singing the song, and I will never forget that day."
Sean will study musical education in college but has not yet settled on a career path.
He knows the music will take him where he needs to go.
