Marilyn J Smith LRAM, graduated in Singing Performance from the Royal Academy of Music, London, moving to Scotland in 1973 where she continued post-graduate studies at the RSAMD. She enjoyed a busy professional career, specialising in concert, recital and oratorio work. As a member of Scottish Opera, the John Currie Singers and the Scottish Chorus she performed throughout Scotland, the UK, Europe, Israel and the USA.
Marilyn sang with Sir Geraint Evans and Dietrich Fischer- Diskau in The Marriage of Figaro and in Abbado’s Carmen with Teresa Berganza and Placido Domingo for Edinburgh Festival Opera.
Her teaching career began in 1975 at St Andrew’s College of Education, now the education faculty of the University of Glasgow. She also taught at Strathclyde University and has been teaching at the RSAMD, now RCS, since 1987.
Marilyn is firmly established as a widely respected teacher of vocal skills, the techniques of singing and increasingly as a vocal coach and adjudicator. She has worked at many of Scotland’s leading music festivals including the National Mod. She is a regular lecturer for AOTOS/Association of Teachers of Singing and for the ABCD/Association of British Choral Directors.
In 1991, Marilyn was appointed Conductor and Music Director of the Glasgow Phoenix Choir. With the GPC, she has toured extensively in Scotland, the UK, Europe and the USA also making live recordings in some of Scotland’s most iconic buildings. Her most recent recordings with the GPC have achieved silver and gold disc status in the UK music industry.
Marilyn was awarded the MBE for services to music in the 2012 New Year Honour’s list, which evidences the contribution she has made to singing, teaching and choral excellence over such a distinguished career.
