Teaches in Texas

From Waco, Texas

Plays Cello, Piano, Saxophone, and Voice

About

Frances Fonza Smith is on faculty at Stephen F. Austin University and the Baptist College of Florida, where she teaches graduate courses in music education and undergraduate music education classes. She also serves as the Director of Worship and Arts at Mt. Ennon Baptist Church in Clinton, Maryland. Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in music education at the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in music education, and a doctorate in music education/choral conducting at Florida State University.

Dr. Smith taught choral music at the middle school and high school levels in Kentucky and was the choir director and a sight singing teacher at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington DC. Additionally, Dr. Smith served as Assistant Professor of Music Education and Director of Choral Activities at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Her responsibilities included teaching music education courses, aural skills, choral conducting, supervising music education interns, and directing the Wittenberg choirs. Choirs under her direction have participated in state, regional, and national music festivals.

Smith is an active singer, clinician, and adjudicator. A frequent guest conductor, she has conducted all state, honor, public school, and church choirs. Her research interests are community partnerships, healthy singing in Gospel music, and tone building strategies used in the choral classroom. She holds professional memberships in the National Association for Music Educators and the American Choral Directors Association.