Meet the Musician: Semra Lee-Smith

What drew you to classical music?
My mother is a violin teacher so I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t surrounded by classical music - it has always been part of my life.

Did you come from a musical family?
Well I’ve already mentioned my violin teacher mother and my brother Shaun (Lee-Chen) really doesn’t need any introduction. However, I have another brother Ian, an excellent cellist who could easily have had a playing career too but chose the far more sensible path of being a banker!

Can you remember your first WASO concert?
My first concert as a permanent member of the WASO was in 2003 and we played Harmonielehre by John Adams with David Porcelijn conducting.

You are a violin lecturer at University of Western Australia, what is the best advice you could give to the next generation of upcoming violin players?
Practise with a metronome!!! Please!!!

Recently you travelled with WASO to the Pilbara region to take part in The Karajini Experience, tell us about what was involved and the most rewarding moment?
The Karijini Experience is a multi-arts event celebrating indigenous culture. Events are held at various locations in the Karijini National Park. I was there as part of a WASO string quartet. We camped on the Karijini airstrip in tepees alongside other artists and presenters, were limited to 90 second showers and rehearsed in a sea container! We performed with Deborah Cheetham, Mark Atkins (didgeridoo virtuoso), Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse in gorges and on the airstrip. On our last day, we visited Knox Gorge, which is a Class 5 gorge - 5 being the most difficult to access. I am the clumsiest person I know so I was quite chuffed at having made it in and out of that gorge in one piece!

This year is WASO’s 90th anniversary, what do you think a symphony concert will look and sound like 90 years from now?
I hope that much of what we do now is retained. I think the way an orchestra functions is incredible and that it would be a shame to lose the art of playing in an orchestra.

What kind of violin do you play and tell us what is special about your instrument?
I play on a violin made around 1750 in Milan by Joseph Antonio Finolli. It’s a 7/8 size violin which is quite unusual as most people play a full size instrument. Its diminutive size affords me greater ease of playing since my hands and frame are rather small.

I really love… 
Everything Bartok! I think I might have been Hungarian in a past life.

Featured in 2018 Masters 4 & Classics 4 Programs.