Stefan L. Smith was awarded a full tuition scholarship for his Masters of Music degree in Viola Performance studying viola with Donald McInnes. He also holds two Bachelor of Music Cum Laude degrees in Viola Performance and Music Composition from DePaul University`s School of Music. Aside from playing the viola, Stefan keeps himself busy writing music for the concert hall as well as for film. He has written various film scores including the score for his first feature film "Bloom". Smith has been principal violist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Henry Mancini Institute Symphony and Chamber Orchestras, and the Oistrach Chamber Orchestra. His previous section violist appointment have been with the Chicago Sinfonietta, San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra, South Bend Symphony Orchestra, Rockford Symphony Orchestra, Chicagoland Pops Orchestra, Chicago Jazz Orchestra among many others.

Recent awards include a full scholarship for a Master of Music degree in Viola Performance at the University of Southern California under the tutelage of Mr. Donald McInnes, Chicago Sinfonietta Viola Fellowship recipient, Kate Richardson Scholar of Music (DePaul School of Music), Co-Principal violist of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, MYSO Concerto Competition winner of 2003 and the National Award of Merit at the National Fine Arts Festival of 2000.

Besides writing film music, Smith is very active in concert composition. He has written in many different types of styles. Smith`s concert works have been performed at various performance venues such as Disney World, DePaul Concert Hall, Rialto Square Theater, Popper Theatre, Krannert Center of Performing Arts, as well as Symphony Center`s Orchestra Hall and Dominican University.