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Share thisAlumna Spotlight: Elizabeth Smith’01
Elizabeth Smith’s musical journey began when she was seven years old. As her neighbor practiced the flute outside on her balcony, Beth grew enchanted by its silvery voice. She begged her parents to let her try and soon began taking private lessons. During Beth’s high school years, her wonderful teachers provided opportunities and guidance which helped her realize that she wanted to pursue music as a career. After a disappointing freshman year of college, she related her experience to Stephen Shewan, who had been her high school band director for three years. He responded by calling Dr. Paul Shewan up on the phone and saying, “Here, talk to my brother.” The rest is history.
Beth transferred to Roberts that fall. Some of her favorite memories include meeting her husband, touring with the Wind Ensemble, performing outstanding repertoire, being involved in the jazz program, and learning conducting from Dr. Shewan. She remarked, “Having Paul as a conductor was incredible. I learned so much just from watching him and taking what I could from rehearsals. That was a highlight of my time at Roberts.” During her senior year, Beth was honored to conduct a Wind Ensemble piece on tour. The rehearsal process was challenging but instructional, and her peers were very supportive. “It really felt like a home and a family – and still does when I step back on campus,” she mused. “We’re still in contact with some of our close friends and teachers, and the spiritual direction I received at Roberts has continued to shape my thinking.”
Beth has been teaching in the Wayne Central School District since 2003, where she started in the middle school and later transferred to the high school. She currently teaches all of the high school instrumental music classes, as well as a music theory course offered through FLCC for college credit. Her husband is the middle and high school choral teacher at McQuaid Jesuit High School. You could say that they’re a musical “power couple”!
In December of 2019, Beth’s school’s music department received the NYSSMA Outstanding School Award. It is presented to music programs that provide a well-rounded musical education to students in New York state. Aspects considered in the selection process included the number of students participating in the NYSSMA Solo and All-County Festivals, the amount of general music received by elementary and middle school students, the music courses offered to high schoolers, and additional statistics which provided a solid understanding of the music department as a whole.
The award was presented at the NYSSMA Winter Conference during a concert which “just happened” to feature the RWC Wind Ensemble conducted by Dr. Paul Shewan! Beth enjoyed hearing the group’s performance and sharing a sweet reunion with her conducting professor.
When asked what she loved most about her job, Beth exclaimed, “I have the best kids on the planet! They are just amazing. They’re kind, respectful, thoughtful, and hard working. The community is different here – it’s like a family. I’ve sent kids to All-State, taken trips to Disney and Virginia Beach, and performed at various ‘Music in the Parks’ competitions. We’ve also gone to Boston for a clinic at New England Conservatory. Those experiences are important memories that the kids can take with them, and they’ve certainly stuck with me.” Watching the “light bulbs go off” as she works with students is what keeps Beth going. She loves watching them realize what they’re capable of accomplishing. “That’s something they can take with them and use for the rest of their lives. Making those connections and experiences, both as individuals and as an ensemble, is why I love my job. I also love preparing my advanced students for All-State auditions. It’s like discovering a new layer of a musical onion and giving them something exciting to dive into. And, my younger students are contagiously excited – they eat music up!”
Looking forward, Beth hopes to see her school stay the course. Despite district numbers declining slightly, their music program is growing! Beth’s two children, Julia (4) and Cooper (7), may be included in that growth. “My daughter is starting her musical path, if you will. She has just been cast at Gretl in our high school production of The Sound of Music. It’s different for us to be on the parent side of a musical instead of on the directing side! The older kids have been great with her, and they’re very good at ad-libbing to make the scenes work when needed,” she added with a laugh.
In closing, Beth would like to thank the Shewan family, and Gary Stith, and all of her influential teachers at Roberts for giving her a strong foundation and helping to shape her career and personhood.
Written by Emily Hutchinson, 3.24.20
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