About Me

Ever since I was a little girl, I was surrounded by music. My parents were not musicians, but they valued music education. So much so, in fact, that me and my seven brothers and sisters all learned how to play at least two instruments. As I grew up, I found myself taking every opportunity to make music in my school and community. By the time I was a senior in high school, I could not see myself pursuing any career other than a music career.

In college, I found that I enjoyed teaching how and why excellence in music is a worthy pursuit. I wanted to teach others not only how to produce beautiful music, but to appreciate why beautiful music has the power to affect positive change in ourselves and our communities. In pursuit of this goal, I completed a degree in music theory and history so that I could investigate how and why music works the way it works. After college, I began an active teaching career while continuing to perform in a variety of music ensembles. My teaching continues to focus on understanding why music affects us, figuring out how to say what you want to say with music, and pursuing opportunities to share music with the community.

Now, I have a family of my own as well as a career in music. My three kids love music and love to sing or play along with my husband and I when we practice. I love to see the joy and excitement in my children’s faces when I sing to them or play a song they know. In our free time, my husband Jeff and I enjoy taking the kids on hikes, going for bike rides, and eating good food.

Professional Experience

Christiana Smith is an adjunct professor of horn at Susquehanna University. She teaches horn lessons to music majors and non-majors at Susquehanna and is an active teacher and performer throughout Pennsylvania.

She received her bachelor’s degree in horn performance and her master’s in music theory and history from the Pennsylvania State University. Her teachers include Lisa Bontrager, Angela Cordell, Thomas Bacon, Randall Faust and David Wakefield.

As a committed educator, Smith teaches students of all ages both privately and at the collegiate level. She has served as guest performer and clinician at regional horn workshops, district festivals and college horn days.

As an active performer, Smith plays regularly with the Altoona Symphony Orchestra, the Williamsport Symphony Orchestra, the Susquehanna Valley Chorale Orchestra, the Billtown Brass Band and the Music at Penn’s Woods Summer Festival. She has also performed with the Binghamton Philharmonic, the Eastern Mountain Music Festival, the Johnstown Symphony, the Pennsylvania Centre Orchestra and the Aspen Festival Orchestra.

Smith currently resides in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, with her husband, Jeff and their three children.

Courses Taught