Biography

Nicholas Smith was Music Director of the South Carolina Philharmonic from 1993 to 2007. His vision, energy and commitment made his tenure there a golden period for the Orchestra, marked by increased audiences, more concerts, and cooperation with many other organizations in the State. Above all, his concerts inspired the very best from the musicians and engaged his audience on every level.

Nicholas studied the oboe with Leon Goossens in England, and later conducting with Franco Ferrara in Italy. He became Principal Conductor of the Northern Chamber Orchestra at the age of twenty-two, and continues to conduct occasional concerts with them thirty-five years later. 

In 1983 he was appointed Music Director of the Kuopio Symphony Orchestra. His seven years in Kuopio included the move into a new concert hall, the expansion of the Orchestra and a huge increase in audiences, making it one of the most successful orchestras in Finland. During this time he conducted nearly 100 opera performances, and was a frequent guest conductor with almost all Finnish orchestras and the Finnish National Ballet.

Since 1993 and his appointment in South Carolina, he has also conducted a large number of performances for Newberry Opera and most recently for the Palmetto Opera. He has conducted many productions at  the Buxton Opera Festival in England.

Throughout his career Nicholas has had great success conducting ballet: Ballet du Nord in France, Aurinko Dance and the Finnish National Ballet in Finland, London City Ballet and Northern Ballet Theatre in England, and Columbia City Ballet and Columbia Classical Ballet in the United States.

Nicholas lives in Macclesfield in England, where he directs an occasional festival. 

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