Brian Smith began playing the guitar around the age of 11. He quickly fell in love with the instrument and began studying classical guitar under the tutelage of George Westafer. Throughout Middle School and High School Brian studied the classical guitar as well as percussion and bass, winning many awards as a multi-instrumentalist. During this time Brian also studied numerous styles of music, including jazz, rock, blues, and metal. He also began composing and arranging for a wide variety of ensembles. He continued this path throughout college where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in music performance from the University of Georgia studying under John Sutherland. Brian won various awards during this time, including the National Federation of Music Clubs Competition and the state level of the MTNA Concerto Competition. At UGA, Brian met the members of the Georgia Guitar Quartet and began composing and arranging for the group. His original pieces and arrangements are staples of Quartet performances and have been met with acclaim by both critics and fans alike. Brian is the principal arranger for the GGQ/Robert Sims collaboration, which explores a variety of instrumental settings of folk, jazz, pop, spiritual, gospel, and classical songs. In addition to the Quartet, Brian performs in many different types of ensembles, including musical theater troupes, jazz ensembles, rock groups, art ensembles, and heavy metal groups. His compositions have covered a wide spectrum of musical styles, including his industrial heavy metal band Dilated Summit, which has released two recordings; break-beat electronic musical group DS: Public Domain, which has two underground releases; flute/guitar duet The Musicsmiths; the Odd Trio, which blends jazz with rock, metal, funk, and classical music; and various classical instrumental ensembles. Brian currently holds positions at LaGrange College, where he teaches Contemporary Guitar, and Atlanta Christian College, where he teaches both Classical and Contemporary Guitar.
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"[The GGQ are] my kind of guys--good players and musicians who have a sense of humor. I very much like the Georgia Guitar Quartet and the spirit they play with."
--John Duarte