Thursday, February 1, at 7:30 p.m. in the McKay Auditorium, Gina Smith will present her Junior vocal recital. “Je me Souviens” (I remember) will feature two Italian art songs and an aria, three French pieces—one a duet Smith will sing with Kristy Dudoit, and three musical theatre numbers, including “Someone Like You” from Jekyll and Hyde. A reception, including refreshments, will follow the recital.
“I started singing before I could talk,” said Smith. The fourth child in a family of eight, her early childhood public singing appearances were coached by her parents, Keith and Kathleen Smith of Columbus, Ohio.
Following her music muse through high school, she sang in several choral groups, including the “Blue Ladies,” a select group of the best voices in the school. Her participation in many high school music competitions, always garnered a first place. “My teacher always wondered how I did that, because I memorized the songs the day before,” said Smith.
As a vocal studies major at BYU-Hawaii, currently studying with Michael Belnap, Smith does not recommend memorizing a song the day before performance. In fact, she practices at least two hours a day. “I eat, breath, sleep, and dream music,” she said. “My favorite musical genres are opera and musical theatre.”
Before coming to BYU-Hawaii, Smith studied at Utah Valley State College in Orem, Utah, where she soloed in the musical, “Godspell,” and in a community theatre performance of “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” as Reuben.
During her first semester at BYU-Hawaii in 2005, Smith performed in “Little Mary Sunshine” as the maid, and sang in “Opera a la Carte.” Last year she won first place in the National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition with her rendition of “Summer in Ohio.” She is currently a member of the Concert Choir, which will tour to China and Mongolia in May of this year.
“Music has always moved me,” said Smith. “I love to be on stage, communicating through music. It’s is a gift you give to the audience, which each person can enjoy and interpret individually.”
Smith’s dream is to sing opera at Carnegie Hall, or to perform on Broadway. She is currently auditioning to continue her studies to obtain a masters degree in vocal performance.