Biography

Based in Houston, Texas, violist Yvonne Smith appears regularly in the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera Orchestra, Houston Ballet, and Grant Park Orchestra (Chicago). On baroque viola, Ms. Smith performs frequently with Bach Society Houston, La Follia Austin Baroque, Ars Lyrica Houston, Lyra Baroque Orchestra (Minneapolis/St. Paul), and American Bach Soloists (San Francisco, CA). Yvonne founded La Speranza, the period instrument chamber ensemble, in 2016. She earned her Master of Music and Bachelor of Music degrees in Viola Performance from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the tutelage of Joan DerHovsepian and James Dunham.