Mercedes Smith

Mercedes Smith is Principal Flutist of the Utah Symphony. A Texas native, she served as Principal Flutist of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestras for nearly a decade and has performed with numerous orchestras including the Seattle Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Houston Symphony, and Pacific Symphony. Awarded First Prize in the National Flute Association’s 2010 Young Artist Competition, Ms. Smith has performed multiple times in Carnegie Hall, Europe, and Asia, and performed as guest Principal Flutist for the Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra’s 2018 European Tour. She is currently on the faculty of Miami Summer Music Festival and has performed with Grand Teton Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, Verbier Festival Orchestra, and Marlboro Music Festival. Ms. Smith was accepted as a scholarship student at the Manhattan School of Music at the age of 16 and is greatly indebted to her teachers Michael Parloff, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Dr. Ronda Mains. Ms. Smith lives in Salt Lake City with her husband, violinist David Porter, and serves as Board Chairman of Salty Cricket -a music program for those in underserved communities.