Bio of Maureen Smith

Born in Toronto, Canada, Maureen's talent was discovered at the age of 4 years old, when she first began playing piano by ear and taking private piano lessons, thanks to her mother. By 14 years of age, she had developed a love for classical music along with Billy Joel and the blues, and had then decided on a career in music. She began teaching piano for a conservatory by the age of 16.

Maureen is now an accomplished entertainer, solo pianist, vocalist, keyboard player, one woman band, piano and voice teacher, music educator, songwriter, composer, publisher, studio musician, engineer, recording artist and entrepreneur. She has several years performing experience in live settings dining rooms, restaurants and clubs to cruise ships, hotels, private parties and many corporate functions and conventions. Maureen also loves performing with other musicians, in either duo's, trio's or big bands.

A warm and soulful vocal approach that moves artistically through a huge mixed repertoire, from country ballads and jazz standards to up-tempo swing and modern top 40 hits, rock' n roll, classical standards and international favorites confirms her incredible versatility, adds to her amazing piano playing.

With over 30 years of piano playing, twenty years of private teaching and fifteen years of classroom experience, she has become an affective leader and role model for many. Her enthusiasm, love of music, and interpersonal skills, naturally motivates her students and audiences alike.

Proficient on guitar, Maureen can often me found leading campfire singalongs. With a music education degree from the University of Western Ontario, Maureen also plays the flute, saxophone, clarinet, trumpet, and other band and stringed instruments. Additionally she has an A.R.C.T. Piano Teacher's Diploma and a degree in Education from the University of Windsor, Ontario. She has taught and directed instrumental and vocal music programs in the school system for 15 yrs., directed and conducted several youth ensembles and bands, designed and taught singing workshops for adults for The Learning Annex, in addition to teaching privately in her home studio for over 20 years.

After performing over a few hundred cover tunes for several years, Maureen began writing her own lyrics and music, while, reflecting on Native Spirituality, the laws of nature, and world religions. Her new original CD, "Spirit" is a reflection once again of her unique diversity, with a combination of top 40 pop tunes, adult easy listening ballads, country and native songs, which also features some of Canada's top studio musicians and recording artists. "Spirit" was released in February, 2004, by White Eagle Records.

Maureen is also an effective engineer, being the owner of a recording studio, has produced and recorded much of her own music. Diverse in many areas of the music industry, she is additionally immersed in publishing, sales, and marketing .

With an added devotion to alternative health, native medicine, enjoyment of crafts and candle making from her grade school years, Maureen invented a line of dream pillows, which began selling in many stores, and the Internet in 2001, "Scents from Nature". The pillows are filled with different combinations of herbs, which when put inside your pillowcase, the scents from lavender, chamomile, and tree leaves, aromatherapy, actually cure insomnia, really relax the mind, help people sleep, invoke and remember your dreams. Maureen eventually intends to add a new line of products to Scents from Nature, however her priority and love is definitely in the business of recording records. She is currently working on a 2nd original CD and a 3rd CD called "Country Cottage Hits".

PERFORMANCE CLIENTS / PIANO BAR ENTERTAINER

• Sheraton Parkway Hotels, Pianist/Vocalist, Toronto
• Carnival Cruise Lines, Pianist/Vocalist, Mexico, Jamaica, Cayman Islands
• The Boulevard Club, Solo Pianist/Vocalist, Toronto, ON
• Cuthbertson Entertainment Agency Pianist/VocalistToronto, ON,
• Cooper Industries LTD, Pianist
• Ambrosia Restaurant, Pianist, Etobicoke, ON,
• Louis Janetta's Restaurant , Pianist/Vocalist, Toronto, ON
• Movenpick Restaurant Solo Pianist, Toronto, ON,
• Barrister's Lounge Piano & Vocal Jazz Duo, Barrie, ON,
• Garden Court Senior Citizen's Home , Pianist, Toronto
• Heritage House Senior Citizen's Home , Pianist, Mississauga
• Meadowvale Senior Citizen's Home , Pianist, Mississauga

PLUS OVER 100 PRIVATE FUNCTIONS, INCLUDING, WEDDINGS, ANNIVERSARY
PARTIES, PRIVATE HOME PARTIES, CONVENTIONS AND CORPORATE FUNCTIONS

RECORDING STUDIO
Maureen Smith Music Studio, Cubase, Protools, Yamaha Grand Piano CD Demos

MUSIC PUBLISHER, SONGWRITER, RECORDING ARTIST
WHITE EAGLE RECORDS LIMITED
Studio Musician, Piano, Vocals, Keyboards

EDUCATION
A.R.C.T. Piano Teacher's Diploma, Royal Conservatory of Music
Advanced studies in piano pedagogy, theory, harmony, counterpoint

Bachelor of Music Education, University of Western Ontario
Instrumental Music Pedagogy: Flute, Clarinet, Saxophone, Trumpet, Baritone, Violin, Cello, Voice, Conducting, Piano Performance, Theory and Composition
Minor, Psychology

Bachelor of Education, University of Windsor Ontario
Specialist in Instrumental Music

Trebas Institute of Recording Arts: the Music Industry Studied jazz piano, and arranging privately: with several entertainers and teachers, including Steven Gardner, Don Himes, John Arpin, and Doug Riley.

Studied privately with several professional singers: exploring vocal technique, speech therapy and different singing methods including: Elaine Overholt, Lois Singer, Wendy Dobson, Lisa Martinelli and Bill Vincent. Posture and Movement Methods: advanced training and private studies with The Alexander Technique, Feldenkrais and the Mitzvah Technique with a special focus on movement, posture, body awareness for maximum technique, preventing and/or working with musician related injuries.

EMPLOYMENT

Private Piano Teacher: 20 years of private teaching both piano, voice and theory, preparing several students for Royal Conservatory of Music exams and piano competitions.

Music Educator, 15 yrs., Toronto Catholic School Board: Directing and teaching instrumental music, beginning band, Gr.'s 5 - 8 and vocal music programs in several schools, conducting, accompanying choirs, directing many school concerts, festivals and community related events.

Music Teacher, Bahamas Separate School Board, Freeport Island, Bahamas Internationally employed: teaching music education, vocal music and piano programs.

Arts Administration, Director of Telemarketing Sales, Louisville Orchestra, Louisville Sales and Marketing, Chappell Music Publishers Canada Music Agent, Ron Albert Entertainment Agency.

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS

• Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publisher's of Canada
• Songwriters Association of Canada
• Ontario Registered Music Teachers Association
• Toronto Musician' Association
• NARM, National Association of Record Merchandisers
• AFIM, American Federation of Independent Musicians
• CIRPA (Canadian Independent Record Production Association)
• CMMRA (Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd)
  

Maureen is the founder and President of White Eagle Music Promotions and White Eagle Records Limited.