Jermaine Smith, a Roosevelt High School alum from the Class of 1991, held the positions of President of the Physics Club, Vice President of the Computer Club and Sergeant at Arms of the Spanish Club. He was also an athlete on the track team, competing in the 400m and 800m races, as well as the long jump and high jump.

Mr. Smith journey to becoming an internationally known opera singer and an award-winning teacher began unexpectedly. He had sung once in middle school, which led to his classmate’s making fun of his voice, prompting him to vow never to sing again. Instead, he became a drummer for Roosevelt’s jazz ensemble. However, in his senior year, while returning from a concert, he humorously sang a made-up song in an operatic style, “I want some piiizzaaaaa, with some mozzarellaaaaa” which caught the attention of the music teacher, Dr. Dello Thedford. Dr. Thelford, upon discovering Mr. Smith’s vocal talent, suggested he could become an opera singer, a comment that was met with laughter at the time, not realizing it would alter Mr. Smith’s life trajectory.

Dr. Thedford secured an audition for Mr. Smith with the Opera Theater of St. Louis (OSTL) for its Artists-in Training program. Excelling in the audition, Mr. Smith was admitted to the year-long program, which included weekly lessons, master classes with visiting professionals and numerous performances. His dedication culminated in winning a competition judged by renowned artists, earning him OSTL’s inaugural scholarship. Although Mr. Smith had intended to study engineering at Missouri S&T, the scholarship required him to major in voice. Consequently, he enrolled at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (UMSL), pursuing a triple major in voice, computer science and math at the age of nineteen old.

Encouraged by UMSL’s voice instructor Mark Madsen to take his training seriously, Mr. Smith participated in local competitions, securing several victories. Mr. Smith again auditioned with the OTSL, where he became a staple cast member for seven years. In 1996, Mr. Smith became part of the Houston Grand Opera’s production of “Porgy and Bess,” playing the role of Sportin’ Life. The company toured fourteen countries, with performances in cities like Paris, and venues such as the Sydney Opera House in Australia. He has since reprised the role of Sportin’ Life in thirteen additional countries, as well as across the United States.

In 1999, the OTSL and the Lyric Opera of Kansas City commissioned a children’s opera, Joshua’s Boots, tailored for Mr. Smith. He has also graced the stage in Street Scene and performed numerous times with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, among many other opera companies.

Currently, Mr. Smith serves as the Director of Arts and Special Programs for Sumner High School where he educates and mentors students. His Arts Pathway program boasts over one hundred students exploring disciplines such as voice, fashion design, drama, dance, photography, visual arts, and museum studies. In recognition of his contributions, the Arts and Education Council of St. Louis awarded Mr. Smith the “Arts Educator of the Year – Leading the Future” accolade in 2023.

Additionally, Mr. Smith spearheads Vero Voce Music (True Voice) a youth performing arts outreach initiative aimed at introducing youth to music to nurture and realize their aspirations. More information can be found on their website: www.veravocemusic.com.

Mr. Smith, an alum of UMSL with a music degree, served as a music instructor there during the 2000’s. He earned a master’s degree from the New England Conservatory of Music. Together with his wife, Tracy, Mr. Smith contributes to an OTSL scholarship named the “Jermaine Smith First Place Award.”