Biography

Katy Smith is an international solo violinist recognised for her commanding stage presence, artistic authority, and ability to connect with audiences at scale. She has appeared as soloist with orchestras across the United Kingdom and internationally, performing repertoire that spans the core Romantic concertos and beyond.

She made her concerto debut at the age of ten, performing Lalo’s Symphonie espagnole at Birmingham’s Adrian Boult Hall after winning the Birmingham Conservatoire Junior Department Concerto Competition. Since then, her artistry, reliability, and collaborative nature have earned her repeat invitations from orchestras and conductors alike.

Smith’s artistry is shaped by a distinctive and highly informed relationship with the violin bow. Her long-standing interest in bow design, balance, and response plays a central role in her approach to sound, colour, and phrasing, contributing to the clarity and character that define her performances.

In 2024, Smith gave a highly acclaimed performance of Elgar’s Violin Concerto with the Hertfordshire Philharmonia Orchestra, performing the work using Elgar’s own bow. The performance received a standing ovation and exceptional praise from the Elgar Society, who commended her authority, musical insight, and complete command of the concerto.

Her career highlights include being featured soloist with the New English Concert Orchestra at the Battle Proms, a six-concert summer series performed to audiences of up to 10,000. Smith was the first soloist invited back for a second consecutive season and was subsequently selected as the orchestra’s featured soloist for its 20th anniversary concert.

In 2022, she stepped in at five days’ notice to perform the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto on tour in Prague with the Kimichi Symphony Orchestra, performing the concerto twice in one day.

“Musicality poured out in long, beautifully controlled phrases, with rich tone, secure intonation and excellent projection.”

Alongside her solo work, Smith recently formed a duo partnership with pianist Amy Butler. Their debut recital received glowing critical acclaim, with reviewers praising their “synergistic” collaboration and describing their performances as “as good as it gets.”

Smith studied at the Yehudi Menuhin School, the Royal College of Music, and the Royal Academy of Music, where she was placed directly into the Advanced Diploma programme, studying with György Pauk. She has enjoyed success in a number of competitions, including first prize at the Eastbourne International Concerto Competition, and appeared on national TV as a strings finalist on BBC Young Musician of the Year.

An advocate for musicians with disabilities, Smith lives with Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and is a visible and influential voice within the classical music profession, contributing through performance, public speaking, and an engaged online presence.

Smith performs on a rare 18th-century violin by Daniel Parker, often referred to as the “English Stradivarius”. Long attributed to Nathaniel Cross, the instrument was only recently identified as a Parker. She is generously sponsored by Pirastro.