CCMpower helps student scholar share her voice

A native of Houston, Texas, Smolij is the daughter of two musicians who met in high school in Poland. Her mother, Kamila Wuwer-Smolij, played trumpet but eventually pursued a different career path and her father, Mariusz Smolij, studied violin and founded the Penderecki String Quartet. "At the time, Poland was experiencing the economic and social effects of socialism, but my dad was able to leave on a musician's visa with his quartet and began a new life for himself, my mother and my brother in America," Smolij says.

"After coming to America, he got his doctorate in conducting and has developed a career as an international conductor. My dad's story has been extremely inspirational to me."

This semester, Smolij is taking mostly online classes. She has three in-person voice lessons as well as a weekly studio class and piano lessons. Most of the mezzo-soprano's voice lessons with CCM Professor of Voice Gwendolyn Coleman are virtual, but she says that she has continued to grow and learn despite the circumstances.

At the start of the pandemic, Smolij had more time to immerse herself in her craft without the distractions and stress of day to day life, she says. She focused on honing her technique and developing habits that have carried into her life on campus. 

"This semester, I've been balancing a job as a nanny, singing in church choir, as well as academics, but with planning, structure and organization it's definitely all possible!"

During her time at CCM, she has performed on stage at the college as well as at Music Hall with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Her favorite performance was Ravel's L'enfant et les sortilèges with the CSO in February. The concert featured 10 student soloists and the CCM Chamber Choir, led by now-retired CCM Chair of Choral Studies Earl Rivers. The performance also featured Grammy-winning mezzo-soprano Isabel Leonard in the title role.

"This performance was so special because I was able to sing in the chorus of an opera featuring my favorite opera singer, Isabel Leonard," Smolij says. "The opportunity to sing in a professional opera with one of my biggest role models in the industry was such a privilege that CCM and the CSO made possible for us."

"My experience at CCM was so much more wonderful than anything I could have imagined," she adds. "I have been so amazed by my colleagues in every department and have received so much support from all of my professors. My work with Gwendolyn Coleman has been the most special to me. Having a professor who sees your potential and pushes you to be your best while also being a supportive mentor has been so impactful."