Will Lewis-Smith
Year of birth: 1990
Having achieved three A grades at A level, I am enjoying my first year at Pembroke College, Cambridge as a music student. I am working on my LRSM Performance Diploma in Percussion and am looking to do the same in Piano - when time allows it. I enjoy playing piano/vibes in small-group classical and jazz contexts. I am looking to conduct my College Orchestra next term and also hope to do well in the University's conducting trials next year.
Even though I started learning the piano aged 6, I am best known for my percussion (tuned and non-tuned) and kit playing. A Distinction in Grade 8 percussionist (aged 15) compelled me to try out NYJO one Saturday. Since that time, I have played many professional gigs with NYJO 1 over the last 3 years (on vibes and congas). I took the exam in 2008 and passed with Merit.
I have had lessons with Clark Tracey, Martin Allen and Mike Osborne. I have played kit for numerous big bands and small-jazz groups, having performed with Stan Sulzmann at the Academy two years ago. In December, I played kit for West Side Story - doing seven shows with half a rehearsal beforehand. I have played kit, and percussion, for Churchill Jazz Band and CUJO. As timpanist for TYO over the last four years, I have played at Cadogan Hall three times. Over the last 2 months, I have performed with renowned conductors Dmitry Sitkovetsky, David Hill. Learning works such as Shostakovich Symphonies no. 5 and 10, Mahler 4 and 8, Beethoven Eroica Symphony and Carmina Burana within 1-2 rehearsals has greatly improved my sight-reading. I will be learning the Kraft Timpani concerto as soon as the music arrives.
Outside of my drums, percussion, piano/keyboard harmony and my course, I greatly enjoy cross-country running, tennis and squash.
