Woodwind Performance and Instruction
About Garrick
Garrick Smith lives in Asheville. NC with his wife, daughter, and their dog. He performs with multiple groups and ensembles around the WNC region. He teaches privately and works with many of the schools in Asheville.
Education and Instruction
Education:
Garrick attended the University of Northern Colorado and Columbia College Chicago. He’s studied with Bill Russo, Hamiet Bluiett, Mark Colby, and Larry Combs.
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Teaching Experience:
With over 25 years of teaching experience in private studios, section coaching, after school programs such as After School Matters in Chicago and MusicWorks in Asheville, and large class lectures, Garrick has brought his love of music and education to musicians from ages 5-90 and has worked with all abilities. He is especially proud of his work with disabled and autistic musicians through the years.
Teaching Philosophy:
Garrick believes music is for everyone and that it helps with all aspects of life. Discipline, critical thinking, cognitive abilities that relate to math, science, and reading, and keeping the mind sharp. He will discuss goals, develop a program to reach those goals, and give music that is both enriching and specific to the students direction.
Performance
Garrick has toured nationally and internationally since he was 15 years old. He has toured and recorded with Tony Allen, Jon Faddis, Amy Ray (Indigo Girls), Marcus Belgrave, Big Gigantic, Seun Kuti, Bill Russo, Jeff Parker, Paul Wertico, Jennifer Hartswick, Bill Kreutzmann, George Porter Jr, Scott Robinson, Matt ‘Guitar’ Murphy, Donald ‘Duck’ Dunn, Steve Cropper, Swamp Heat, Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry, The Skatalites, Cyro Baptista, Dirty Logic, Ska City, Mucca Pazza, The Chicago Sinfonietta, and Chicago Afrobeat Project.