William Ford-Smith
Viola
William Ford-Smith, a professional violist, grew up in Queens, NY. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree from The Eastman School of Music in 2014, studying under George Taylor, associate professor of viola, and participating in the prestigious Honors Chamber Program with the Ying Quartet. During his time at Eastman, Mr. Ford-Smith won the Honors Chamber Competition in 2011.
He continued his education at the Conservatory of Music at Lynn University, receiving a Professional Performer’s Certificate in 2019 while studying under Ralph Fielding, Distinguished Artist in Residence of viola. Over the summers of 2011 and 2012, he attended the Kent Blossom Summer Music Festival, playing side by side with members of the Cleveland Symphony. His passion for music took him to Europe, where he performed chamber, solo, and orchestral repertoire at the Assisi Summer Music Festival in 2014 and at AIMS Graz in the summers of 2016, 2017, 2022, and 2024. Additionally, he participated in TMF in Houston, TX, during the summer of 2019.
Mr. Ford-Smith has held a section position with The Symphony of Westchester and served as a recurring substitute for the Binghamton Philharmonic. Following a two-year contract with The Syracuse Orchestra, he fell in love with the city of Syracuse and has since joined the orchestra full-time. In Syracuse’s vibrant music scene, he has also performed with Civic Morning Musicals, Syracuse Friends of Chamber Music and the Society for New Music.
