Gail Smith is moving into full time musical tuition, covering singing, piano/keyboard and guitar.

Gail has assisted many locals over the years and is planning to launch her teaching career with a special Summer Holiday Program.

“I try not to take my music too seriously,” she said.

“My motto to all my new students is that “there are a lot of things in life you have to do… you have to clean your room, obey your parents, go to school /work etc…but music is something you have chosen to do so let’s have some fun doing it.” 

Gail has enjoyed a successful musical path, but it is since moving back to Parkes that has inspired her teaching.

Gail is heavily involved in the local Musical and Dramatic Society. 

“The M and D has become like a second family to me and the highlight has been my role as Mother Superior in the recent production of “The Sound Of Music.” 

“I will also be part of the latest production of “A Very Theatre Christmas” when I not only get to sing, but also help in the planning and vocals.”

Gail said she attended the grand final of the Country Music Festival Competition in Parkes with a friend who was in the Poetry section. 

“This opened my eyes to an opportunity in our community to foster our local talent as I noted that there was not a strong local contingency. 

“I was impressed with how this competition is run and my aim is to utilise this wonderful event to showcase the talent that we have here. I have already started preparing select students for next year’s competition.”

Gail was born and raised in Parkes and comes from a strong family musical background.

She came second in a talent quest early in high school and the adjudicator, Laurie Orchid (Administrator for the Bathurst Conservatorium of Music) recommended voice lessons. 

“I was accepted as a student which apparently was quite rare as the teacher normally did not take students before the age of 16 - and I was only 12,” Gail said.

“I travelled to Orange every week for six years for singing lessons, there were no teachers locally. In those days, music lessons in general were a luxury let alone singing lessons…it was all sport.”

By 14, Gail was competing in everything she could, from talent quests to eisteddfods, even being offered a country music recording contract. 

“As I was studying classical music at the time, my parents decided it was not the path for me,” Gail said.

“By the age of 16, my voice had moved up from a soprano to a coloratura practically overnight.  This led me to singing more in the operatic field and competing in bigger events at not just local level but Sydney as well.” 

Gail started working and her music was put aside for the next few years, although she still sang and played for pleasure. 

After marrying in 1988, she moved back to Parkes in 1989.

“I started teaching which was a way of enjoying my music whilst still being there for my children.”

Gail moved to the south coast in 1994 and was heavily involved in major productions.

“I moved back to Parkes in 2004 and once again set about to re-establish my teaching.

“Now that my youngest child is 14 I feel it’s my time to look at what I want to do with my life.  

“I get great enjoyment out of watching a student achieve even the smallest milestone - watching shyness turn into confidence and building self esteem.  

“Over the years I have had students compete successfully in their local and outlying areas. Some have been featured artists at School Spectacular and then gone on to further study in the music industry.   

“Three students have gone on to successful careers - one overseas in Music Theatre and is in the current production of Wicked; another on cruise ships as an entertainer; and the other is a jazz singer/ teacher in Sydney.

“Whilst I am the teacher, I often find my students teach me as well. They keep me up with the latest music that THEY want to learn and in return I teach them how to play/sing these styles.”