Teacher Bio
Dr. Tianna Heppner Smith has been a performer and a collaborator around the globe for nearly 2 decades. In teaching, she highly stresses proper technique, skills and attainment and strives to help each student achieve their personal goals through personalized lesson plans and practice routines.

She earned her Doctorate in Viola Performance from the University of California, Santa Barbara under the tutelage of Ms. Helen Callus and Mr. Jonathan Moerschel. She earned both her Bachelor and Master Degrees in Viola Performance (with an emphasis in Orchestral Studies) from the University of Nevada, Reno, under the tutelage of Mr. Philip Ruder, Ms. Stephanie Sant’Ambriogo and Mr. Theodore Kuchar.

She has performed globally with headliners like Lady Gaga (where she is currently Principal Viola for the Jazz and Piano Residency), Hugh Jackman, Celine Dion and countless others. Her recording credits include Justin Timberlake, Jennifer Hudson, Ryan Reynolds for Deadpool 2, Celine Dion, Days of our Lives and many more. In traditional Classical Music venues, she has performed regularly with the Las Vegas Philharmonic, the Los Angeles Ballet Company, the Deadline Hollywood Orchestra, the Nevada Ballet, the Nevada Opera, the Reno Philharmonic, the Fresno Philharmonic and the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra.

Teacher Credentials

• Doctor of Musical Arts – Viola Performance
  University of California, Santa Barbara
• Master of Musical Arts – Viola Performance 
  University of Nevada, Reno
• Bachelor of Musical Arts – Viola Performance
  University of Nevada, Reno

Want To Know More??

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