Leilah's Music Studio
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Leilah Smith is a Cellist & Pianist with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Indianapolis. She began her musical journey herself at age 6 on Piano. At twelve she switched to Cello and continued piano lessons when possible while attending the IU String Virtuoso program in high school, as well as in college.
At 13 years old, Leilah became principal cellist of the Indianapolis Youth Orchestra. In high school she served as assistant principal in New World Youth Orchestra her last year. Leilah also served as Principal Cellist of the University of Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. |
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After graduating with her Bachelor's, Leilah has maintained performance opportunities in Indianapolis and surrounding areas. She served as a section cellist for Anderson Symphony Orchestra, as well as a substitute cellist for many other local professional symphony orchestra's such as Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, and Danville Symphony Orchestra. She also performs regularly as a Music Unites Artist with Classical Music Indy, and has been featured in their quarterly publication "NOTE" Magazine.
Ms. Leilah teaching experience includes (but is not limited to):
- Student teaching at Pike High School Orchestras
- Student teaching at Mooresville Middle School & High School Orchestras
- Indianapolis Suzuki Academy (Jan. 2013 - December 2016)
- University of Indianapolis: Community Music School (August 2013 - August 2015)
- Ji-Eun Lee Music Academy (August 2017 - August 2018)
- Lawrence Central HS / Belzar MS Cello Sectionals (August 2017 - Current)
- Leilah's Music Studio (2004 - Current)
She has 15 years of teaching experience coupled with registered teacher training in:
- Suzuki Cello Books 1, 2, & 3 from the Chicago Suzuki Institute
- Suzuki Piano Book 1 from the IAM Suzuki Institute
- Suzuki in the Schools
- Music Mind Games (Michiko Yurko) Level One.
Teaching Philosophy
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Ms. Leilah's teaching philosophy combines both Traditional (notereading) Methods and the Suzuki Method (playing by ear) in order to produce a well-rounded music student! Notereading provides musical literacy, whereas playing by ear, allows technical development at a young age. This provides the best foundation for musical fluency.
Aside from Ms. Leilah's method's, her philosophy itself heavily aligns with the Suzuki Method and Montessori approaches that build a foundation of learning through play, exploration, and curiosity. |
Her priority is not necessarily to teach music first, but to teach character development. In order to learn music, one must first establish healthy practice routines, understand expectations for a good learning attitude, and more. Only then can true musical development follow appropriately.
Ms. Leilah firmly believes that what is learned in music lessons, establish healthy habits for the rest of life. Therefore one's progress cannot be measured in what piece they are playing, but rather in what character habits they have formed along the way.
Ms. Leilah firmly believes that what is learned in music lessons, establish healthy habits for the rest of life. Therefore one's progress cannot be measured in what piece they are playing, but rather in what character habits they have formed along the way.
