G. Smith, cello
Question to an 8-year-old: who are your favorite musicians? Answer: Bobby McFerrin and Edvard Grieg. Okay, that’s quite a combination for anyone, let alone an 8-year-old! Growing up in Tampa, they listened to classical music and an older sister played violin. So of course they wanted to play “not violin.”
Serious cello study began in high school, with lessons and playing in the school orchestra. But during studies at the University of Florida, Gainesville (major in Journalism), the cello remained in a closet—because there’s just too much to do!
After graduating, they headed to New York City to work in media, landing a job with an arts and culture website. And they started playing again, taking lessons and joining the Queer Urban Orchestra. Then came the pandemic. “My friend in Berkeley had an in-law unit and said, just come here and ride it out.” Good idea!
Carefully packing up the car for the cross-country road trip, they included only the essentials: large plants, a giant jug of kombucha and a full-size cello. They were taking some professional development courses at Merritt College and one day came upon an orchestra class! That would be Prometheus. “The orchestra has really nice community vibes and it’s a lot of fun to play. I think I made a really good move in coming to the Bay Area.” We think so too!
