Rachael Smith

Rachael Smith is an Adjunct Instructor in Music Theory at the University of Delaware's School of Music, part of the College of Arts & Sciences. She is concurrently pursuing a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) in Music Composition at the Peabody Conservatory under Du Yun. Her expertise spans composition, libretto writing, and viola performance, with notable works commissioned by the Metropolis Ensemble (Biophony Project), Fredonia College Symphony (COVID Zoomworks project), and others.

Education includes a BM in Music Composition from SUNY Fredonia (studying under Andrew Martin Smith and Rob Deemer) and an MM in Music Composition from the University of Louisville (under Steve Rouse and Krzysztof Wolek). Her compositions have been performed by groups such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Conrad Tao, and A/tonal, alongside libretti staged at institutions like SUNY Fredonia and the Peabody Conservatory Opera Workshop.

Rachael’s creative work intersects opera, contemporary classical music, and interdisciplinary performance, reflecting her dual focus on composition and textual artistry. Her 2020 Huang Commission win underscores her recognition in the field.