James Conrad Smith

  For a full list of performance credits, you can click the Download Full Resume button or scroll below for a select list.

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EDUCATION

   James holds two degrees in vocal performance: a B.M. from Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ) and an M.M. from the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University (Bloomintgton, IN).

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THEATRE

     James has always showed interest in many different aspects of theatrical production. As a performer, he has worked across the country in regional and local houses for musical theatre and light opera. He is a member of AGMA and an EMC with the AEA.

     He started directing when he founded the Young Artists' Initiative in 2013 during his undergraduate studies producing The Pirates of Penzance and Don Giovanni (2014). Since 2016, he's branched out to youth theatre as well having led productions and camps for elementary age children in NJ and UT. In 2019, he became the resident stage director for the New Jersey Vocal Arts Collaborative (N.J.V.A.C.) and helmed the company's inaugural production of Le nozze di Figaro. Their production of Die Zauberflote has been postponed until 2022 due to the pandemic.

     During the pandemic, James assumed a new role with Chicago's Transgressive Theatre-Opera as their video designer for its virtual staging of Handel's Beauty's Truth (2020) utilizing Adobe's Creative Suite to bring together artists from across the country.

TEACHING

     James is a private voice teacher (currently there is no formal studio) and offers acting coaching to opera singers.

     He is also a NJ certified substitute teacher (K-12).

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MAKING ART AWAY FROM THE STAGE

     Since 2010 James has been a church cantor at several NJ churches; he also has experience as section leader.

     He works as a calligrapher for holiday cards, wedding invitations, and other miscellaneous projects.

     Aside from theatre, his most active and passionate hobby is composing and orchestration. In 2013, his piece "Reflection: Innocent Thoughts About Peace" won the inaugural Cali Choral Composition Competition at Montclair State University adjudicated by Morten Lauridsen. "Reflection" premiered at Carnegie Hall in March 2014 with MSU's Vocal Accord under the baton of Heather J. Buchanan. More recently, James has been at work on two projects: a requiem mass and the Hogwarts Song Anthology - information for both of these can be found here.

FUN FACTS ABOUT JAMES

     James' hobbies and interests include: the history of the RMS TITANIC, the Harry Potter book series, decorating for Christmas, biking, and hiking.

     He is also a huge fan of Downton Abbey and The Great British Bake Off. James also enjoys reading Stephen King or Clive Cussler, and listening to his favorite radio station WQXR. 

Location: NJ / NYC

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Union Status: EMC, AGMA

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Height: 6'1"

Weight: 165 lbs.

Eye Color: Hazel

Hair Color: Brown

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Vocal Range:

  G2-A4

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Falsetto:

  extends up to C6

Standing atop Oregon's dormant stratovolcano Mt. McLoughlin in September 2019 - elevation 9,495'