February 23, 2021
MEMBER IS A MUSICIAN, TEACHER AND LEADER HERE AND ABROAD.
DR MARSHA KINDALL-SMITH IS A PHENOMENAL ACTIVE WOMAN WHO CARES ABOUT HER COMMUNITY AND THE PAWC.
The Palm Aire Women’s Club consists of Phenomenal Active Women Who Care about their community. Pianist and long-time member, Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith is another such caring phenomenal woman.
Dr. Kindall-Smith began her musical career at a precocious age. She was only 5 when she started piano lessons and 12 when she started teaching piano. She studied piano with Leota Palmer, Natalie Hinderas, Emil Danenberg, and Richard Tetley-Kardos.
For decades she dedicated her life to ensuring an equitable music education for all students with music from western artistic classical traditions and multi-ethnic cultures. As an undergraduate, Marsha helped build a school in Northern Nigeria with Operation Crossroads Africa, a forerunner of the Peace Corps. Oluntunji, the Nigerian master drummer was one of her piano students in Boston.
Her repertoire as a pianist, vocalist, teacher, and choir director, preserves the integrity and art of Spirituals and music by master composers. She earned degrees from Oberlin College (BM), Ohio State University (MA), and Boston University (EdD). She received numerous awards during her outstanding career and was honored with a brick dedicated to her on the walk of fame at the headquarters of the National Association for Music Education.
Marsha directed and played piano accompaniments for her award-winning children’s choruses. When Kindall-Smith was a music teacher in Wellesley Public Schools (MA), the legendary Bessie Jones stopped by to interact with and perform for her students in the music room. As the Performing Arts Coordinator in Brookline Public Schools (MA), she directed her department in presenting festivals/concerts attended by Yo-Yo-Ma, Midori, Jester Hairston, Conan O’Brien, Mike Wallace and master classes by the Alvin Ailey dancers. She also introduced and played piano accompaniments for the High School Choir on a concert tour in Japan.
In addition to her expertise on the piano, Marsha is known for her vocal talents. She performed with the USA Capitol Choir at cathedrals in Austria and once with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir in Salt Lake City. She also sang with the Milwaukee Symphony Chorus, and with Bel Canto Choir for the Rolling Requiem on the first anniversary of 9/11, joining choirs around the world in singing Mozart’s Requiem at 9:09 AM, the moment the first plane hit the tower.
Dr. Kindall-Smith was Co-Chair of Music Education at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee (UWM) where she received a Distinguished Undergraduate Teaching Award. She was an invited clinician at international conferences in Honolulu, Hong Kong, Sydney, New York City, and Seattle. She has published refereed articles about learner-centered music instruction with performance assessments in urban schools, and social justice in music teacher education. She is the President of the National Association for the Study and Performance of African American Music; its 50th anniversary will be in 2022.
Since retiring from UWM, she moved to Sarasota and joined the PAWC, Sarasota Opera Guild, and ASALH (The Association for the Study of African American Life and History.) She performs locally, including at First Congregational UCC Church both in the choir, and as a piano soloist. When meetings resume, we are hopeful that she will soon perform for the PAWC members and friends.
So far, the PAWC has been unable to host its traditional in-person events due to the pandemic. But as members continue to get vaccinated, the club is hopeful that a luncheon in May or June can be scheduled. In the meantime, do not miss the Mix and Mingles; fun is had by all. Stop by and catch up with all your friends. Meet members in a new way and learn about their fascinating lives. Check eblasts for date, time and log in information.
Be sure to check the PAWC website, www.palm-airewomensclub.org. for the latest news and updates. Contact Judi Bouchard. to be included on the PAWC email list.
Remember, the PAWC membership is open year-round and is not limited to Palm Aire Country Club members. For membership, contact Susan Pulver. Dues are $40 yearly. With vaccines being given, hopefully in person meetings can be resumed soon. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy in these crazy times!
Marsha and Dr Helena Jackson.
Marsha and President Garafola.
Dr. Marsha Kindall-Smith.