A champion of new works, Mr. Smith has conducted numerous premieres, including the world premieres of Paula Kimper's Where Everything Is Music and Orchestral Suite from the Bridge of San Luis Rey, Allen Hill's Toward the Light and The Gift, Larry Deming's Variations on Blackberry Blossom, and Gerald Busby's Quatrains, Dances for Piano and Others, and A View of the Landscape, which was written for Stephen Smith Singers. He also lead the New York premiere of William Bolcom's May-Day, the Connecticut premiere of Robert Edward Smith’s Concerto for English Horn and Orchestra, as well as US premieres of Mickelson reconstructions of 16th century Venetian works by Gabrieli, Bassano, Obrecht, Zarlino, and Croce.

A native of upstate New York, Mr. Smith received his first professional appointment at the age of 11. He studied conducting with Vincent La Selva at The Juilliard School, Alexander Polishchuck at the State (Tchaikovsky) Conservatory of St. Petersburg in Russia, and Mariusz Smolij (Houston Symphony), and has participated in international master classes with Robert Shaw and Victor Yampolsky.

Mr. Smith has taught music at the University of Hawaii, Hartwick College, and the American Academy of Music. He previously served as Executive Director of the San Francisco Opera Guild, Interim Director of the Merola Opera Program and consultant with the University of California at San Francisco, the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Wolf Trap Institute for the Arts and Opera Southwest.