Dr. Aaron Smith

Director of Musical Activities

 
DR. AARON SMITH, Director of Musical Activities at the United States Naval Academy, accepted his appointment in 2006 following a long series of impressive accomplishments as a choral conductor in New York City and now leads one of the most visible music programs in the country. 

He is often credited with bridging the gap between military discipline and high-level artistry.  He manages a significant roster of midshipmen (roughly 25% of the Naval Academy student body) who participate in music in addition to their rigorous academic and military training, yet he maintains a professional standard that allows them to perform alongside the world's best professional musicians.

A nationally acclaimed conductor, he has been seen in a wide variety of performances and performing venues including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, and many other prominent concert halls and churches around the world. 

Highlight musical collaborations include performances with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Dallas Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Nashville Symphony, Portland Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Arizona MusicFest, Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, Kronos Quartet, Chanticleer, the American Boychoir, Mark Morris Dance Group, the Great Performer’s Series, the Mostly Mozart Festival, Kurt Masur, Wolfgang Sawallisch, Sir Colin Davis, Zdenek Macal, Joseph Flummerfelt, John Rutter, and soloists such as Renee Fleming, Stephanie Blythe, Gregory Kunde, and Beyonce. 

He has collaborated extensively with nationally-televised broadcast performances from Kennedy Center Honors, P.B.S. and HBO specials, Emmy Award presentations such as Christmas in Washington and “Live from Lincoln Center” to nationally-significant and historic events such as Presidential State Funerals, inaugurations, official observances, dedications, commissionings, memorials, and celebrations.

Dr. Smith received a Vocal Performance Certificate and his undergraduate degree in Choral Music from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters degree with Honors and Distinction in Choral Conducting from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey, and his Doctorate in Choral Conducting from SUNY Stony Brook, New York.