DLSMusic

Donna Smith is an accomplished pianist and violinist, holding multi-disciplinary degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, The University of Michigan, and Troy State University.

​

Ms. Smith plays piano, organ, or violin for worship services, weddings, and funerals. Donna joined the staff of Trinity Presbyterian Church in Venice, Florida in February 2021. From 2005-2023 Donna served as the Contemporary Youth Mass Music Coordinator at Epiphany Cathedral in Venice, FL. In 2023 she transitioned to pianist for the Mass. Donna also plays organ, piano, and violin at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Venice. She served as Director of Music at Lakeside Lutheran Church for 9 years, 2009-2017, and again as a staff musician for Contemporary worship from 2019-2020. 

​

Donna teaches private violin, viola, piano, and music theory lessons. She has a music studio for private lessons and also has taught classes for beginning violin and viola. She organizes an annual recital option.

​

Ms. Smith accompanied Anita Johnson, a soprano soloist, of the New York Metropolitan Opera and is a sought after accompanist for many local performers. Donna is an excellent accompanist for professional and aspiring musicians. She also accompanies for auditions, competitions, and recitals. Donna also has been keyboardist/substitute music director for a musical production with The Players in Sarasota.

​

Donna is the former principal 2nd violinist and section violinist for both The Venice Symphony and The Punta Gorda (formerly Charlotte) Symphony.  She performed with Romanza Strings and Palm Strings Quartet as both a violinist and pianist. She also played violin with Strauss Orchestra of America in the annual Salute to Vienna New Year’s Concert Series. Currently, Donna freelances as a soloist for weddings and other events and plays violin for musicals at The Players in Sarasota. Donna also has string duet, trio, quartet options available for weddings.

​

Donna is the founder and former director of The Venice Symphony Youth Orchestra. She conducted the Symphonic Strings Orchestra (8th-12th grades). The ensemble started as a masterclass for her private student studio in 2000. In 2012, the ensemble organized as the Venice Area Youth String Ensemble. It grew from a string quartet into a small ensemble. The core group became The Venice Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2018.

​

She performed Haydn’s Creation in Bulgaria and Mozart’s Requiem and Sinfonia Concertante for violin and viola in Hungary, Slovakia, and Czech Republic. Donna also accompanied performances of A Night on Broadway in Budapest, Hungary and Bratislava, Slovakia; both A Night on Broadway performances were sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Donna participated in performances of Brahms Tragic Overture and Requiem in 3 cities in Northern Italy.