Biography

Jay Smith, Guitar

Jay Smith has extensive experience as a private lesson instructor and director of various ensembles.  Smith began teaching professionally during his senior year in high school and has continued full time for the past 17 years.  In addition to teaching independently and at Music Starz Studios, Smith has also taught at the university level.  He spent 5 years teaching at the University of North Texas in Denton, where he gave private lessons and directed the UNT Classical Guitar Ensemble.  Smith also served on the faculty of the Community Music Program while at UNT.

Smith earned his Bachelor of Music degree with a double major in guitar performance and music education from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside.  He completed his Master of Music degree at UNT, focusing on guitar performance and musicology.  In 2006, Smith became Dr. Jay when he graduated with a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) degree at UNT.  His area of study was again guitar performance and musicology.  Smith’s doctoral dissertation consisted of an analysis and performance guide for Mexican composer Manuel Ponce’s Guitar Sonata III.

In addition to teaching, Smith has stayed active as a performer by playing in numerous solo and ensemble settings.  Smith grew up playing in many local rock and pop bands, while studying jazz and classical music privately.  In addition to performing with Serenata Strings, I Virtuosi and giving numerous solo classical guitar recitals, Smith has performed with The Tulsa Opera, playing the guitar solo on their production of the Barber of Seville.  He has performed for Christopher Parkening, Stephen Robinson, Stanley Yates and Javier Calderon.  In a jazz setting, Smith has performed on bass and guitar with such artists as Frank Mantooth and Neil Harmon.  Throughout his career, Smith has always strived to be versatile in his approach to teaching as well as performing.  As a result, he has a varied background that has enabled him to teach and perform a wide variety of musical styles.

Karen Lim-Smith, Violin/Piano

Karen Lim-Smith started playing the piano by ear at 2. Five years later, she went on to win her first piano competition. At 8, she had also picked up the violin. At 12, she was the youngest member to tour with the Penang Symphony Orchestra to Adelaide and Melbourne for the Adelaide Music Festival. That same year, she was the youngest musician selected to represent her country Malaysia with the ASEAN Symphony Orchestra in Thailand.

At age 14, she went on to win her first major violin competition. Not only did she win the coveted first prize at the Mozart National String Competition, but also a free round-trip to Amsterdam to study with Theo Olof, the former concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

At 17 years of age, she won her first full scholarship abroad to study with Alice Waten at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After graduating with a Diploma in Music with Distinction, she followed Waten to Australia, where she won another full scholarship to undertake her Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at the Canberra School of Music, which is affiliated with the Australian National University. Three years later, she moved to Sydney to complete her Bachelor of Music degree with Honors at the Australian Institute of Music.

While a student at the Canberra School of music, she was selected as the only Malaysian delegate to participate with the World Youth Orchestra. The orchestra toured the Philippines, South Korea, and Malaysia as well as Denmark and Germany.

She graduated in 2003 with double Masters – a Master of Journalism degree and a Master of Music degree in performance – from the University of North Texas (UNT). Over the years, she has studied with Amadeus Heutling (member of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra), Emanuel Borok (former concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra) and Susan Demetris (former concertmaster of the Dallas Opera). She strives for versatility in her playing as well as in her students’ playing. While a student at UNT, she picked up jazz violin, and was a founding member of UNT’s Swing Strings. She has also appeared with UNT’s Repertory Jazz Ensemble in a series of performances commemorating the indefatigable Duke Ellington.Lim-Smith continued her Jazz studies with Scott Tixier, who is teaching alternate/Pop/Jazz violin at the University of North Texas.

In 2017, Lim-Smith was featured in VoyageDallas Magazine – DFW’s premiere magazine highlighting careers of leading entrepreneurs in the DFW area – as a pioneer in the music industry.

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Serenata Strings is the recipient of:
TMT 2017 Entertainment Award for Best Classical Music Entertainment Company – Southern USA.
Best of Flower Mound Awards Program to Music Starz Studios DBA Serenata Strings the 2018 Best of Flower Mound – Musicians Category.

In 2012, Lim-Smith was named Teacher of the Year by the Denton Music Teachers Association.
Lim-Smith is also a string clinician serving orchestra students in the DFW area.
In January 2018, Lim-Smith was invited as guest lecturer at the University of North Texas to speak to the students majoring in music entrepreneurship.
In July 2020, she was inducted into the Hall Of Fame – the highest honor – by the The National Guild Of Piano Teachers/ American College Of Musicians.

Lim-Smith is a very active performer and teacher. Lim-Smith has toured with Andrea Bocelli and Diana Ross and the Supremes throughout the United States. She appeared frequently with The Dallas Opera Orchestra and The Tulsa Opera Orchestra during the operatic seasons. She also performed on baroque instruments with the Fort Worth Early Music and the Orchestra of New Spain.

On July 28, 2022, she performed with her husband Jay for the PNC-Patio Sessions at Sammons Park at the AT&T Performing Arts Center (ATTPAC). They performed Nov. 19, 2022 for ATTPAC  Gala Event.

Lim-Smith has also performed as a soloist at the 2008 National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA) National Concert at the Eisemann Center in Dallas / Richardson, TX.
In February 2009, she presented the world premiere performance of “Wayang” for solo violin, composed by Wieslaw V. Rentowski at the NACUSA Texas Conference at the Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches, Texas.
In February 2010, she presented the world premiere performance of “Appassionato” for violin and piano composed by Rentowski at the NACUSA Texas Conference at the University of San Marcos, Texas.
In 2012, she presented works by Rentowski and Stephen Ip at the NACUSA – Texas Chapter concert at the Richardson Public Library.
On October 3, 2013, she presented Rentowski’s “Wayang” at the Louisiana Tech University.
On October 27, 2013, she presented the world premiere performance of “Colla Parte” for solo violin and chamber orchestra with the DeSoto Chamber Orchestra.
On Sept. 14, 2014, she presented the following works for the NACUSA – Texas Chapter concert at the Richardson Public Library:
Rentowski’s “Solaire” for solo violin
Ross Griffey’s “Dancing Shadows” for solo violin
Deon Nielson Price’s “Stile Antico” for solo violin
Bryce Cannell’s “Refractions” for string quartet
Michael Lee’s “Farewell” for string quartet
Crimson Rose’s “Bouquet” for string quartet
Deon Nielson Price’s “Allegra Barbara” for string quartet

On Sept. 27, 2022, she presented with world-renowed soprano Dominika Zamara and Dr. Cameron Hofmann, piano professor at Baylor University the world premiere performance of Rentowski’s “Triptych” at the Dallas Latino Cultural Center sponsored by City of Dallas Office of Arts & Culture.

In 2021, her performance of “Wayang” was featured on Wieslaw Rentowski: Solo & Chamber Music, released by Navona Records in August 2021.

She has been teaching professionally for the past 28 years. She has served in the violin faculty at the Canberra Youth Orchestra Society in Australia and the Community Music Program at UNT. She has also taught young students for the Australian Institute of Music.

Her violin students were members of the:
Texas All-State Orchestras
All-Region 2, All-Region 20 and All-Region 24 Middle and High School Orchestras
Greater North Dallas Youth Orchestra
Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra
Greater Fort Worth Youth Orchestra
Lone Star Youth Orchestra
Dallas Asian-American Youth Orchestra

Her students have earned:
High School Social Music Diploma from The National Guild of Piano Teachers
Gold medals at the Texas State Solo and Ensemble Contest (TSSEC)
Gold/Silver/Bronze medals for State Theory Test from Texas Music Teachers Association (TMTA)
Medals for State World of Music from TMTA
Winner and Outstanding essays for State Publication Essay Contest from TMTA

Her students are published authors for the Texas Music Teachers Association Publication Issue 2016 – 2022.

Lim-Smith is a member of the:
The National Guild of Piano Teachers (Teacher Division of American College of Musicians)
Texas Music Educators Association
Arlington Music Teachers Association
Carrollton Music Teachers Association
Music Teachers National Association

The Smiths released six CD’s featuring the violin and guitar.  In 2012, they released a Jazz Christmas CD called “Joyful” to benefit the orphans in the care of Buckner International and Shoes For Orphan Souls.

In 2013, the Smiths launched Hits On Ten.   Hits On Ten features both of them on violin and guitar.   The launching of Hits On Ten coincides with the release of their 2nd CD entitled “Love’s In The Air: Volume 1.”

Lim-Smith is affiliated with the following associations:
Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide
Oxford Who’s Who Worldwide
Continental Who’s Who of National Business Leaders
National Association of Professional Women
The International Women’s Leadership Association
National Association of Distinguished Professionals

In 2017, Lim-Smith is a member of Women of Excellence.
In 2017, Lim-Smith was awarded Pinnacle Professional Member by Continental Who’s Who of National Business Leaders.
In 2017, Lim-Smith was awarded Top Tier of Excellence Lifetime Achievement Recognition by Oxford Who’s Who Worldwide.
In 2017, Lim-Smith was awarded the Professional Of The Year in Music Education/Entertainment/Music by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide.
In 2016, Lim-Smith was awarded the Professional Of The Year in Music Education/Entertainment/Music by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide.
In 2015, Lim-Smith was awarded the Professional Of The Year in Music Education/Entertainment/Music by Strathmore’s Who’s Who Worldwide.
In 2015, Lim-Smith was awarded the Woman Of Outstanding Leadership by The International Women’s Leadership Association.
In 2015, Lim-Smith was featured in the Women of Distinction Magazine Fall 2015 by the National Association of Distinguished Professionals.
In 2014, Lim-Smith was awarded the VIP Woman Of The Year by the National Association of Professional Women.
Lim-Smith is an Honored Member of the Continental Who’s Who of National Business Leaders.

Jason Lim, Violin/Viola

Jason Lim received his formal training in viola performance when he won a music scholarship to study at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts with Alice Waten. The following year, Lim commenced his studies at the Australian National University and earned his Bachelor of Music degree with honors from the Australian Institute of Music in Sydney. While in Canberra, he began his conducting studies as an apprentice with the Canberra Youth Orchestra and served as assistant conductor with the Ku Ring Gai Philharmonic Orchestra in Sydney. Lim added to his awards and achievements the New South Wales Ministry of Arts Conducting Scholarship, the South Carolina Conductor’s Institute Fellowship Award, and the Australian Opera and Arts Scholarship Award. Lim has also attended the Pierre Monteux School for Conductors in Maine. While pursuing a Master of Music degree in conducting at the University of North Texas, Lim led the NOVA Ensemble in its first commercial recording in 2000.

Under the auspices of the “Equilibrum” label, Lim conducted the world premier performance of Brian Bavelander’s Distant Visions for orchestra and pre recorded tape. Lim held the position of music director and conductor of NOVA for two years. Lim dedicates a majority of his time conducting new music and has been invited to conduct in conventions such as the SEAMUS Y2K (the acousma tex conference) and the North American Saxophone Alliance. In 2004, Lim conducted the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra Classical subscription concert and conducted the Abilene premier of Michael Remson’s opera, Sibanda. Lim also conducted Seymour Barab’s Little Red Riding Hood with the Hardin-Simmons University Opera.

In recent years, Lim has dedicated his talents to working with young musicians, conducting orchestra workshops in Asia and the United States. He served as conductor and educator for three years at the Abilene Summer Music Festival in affiliation with Hardin-Simmons University. Lim remains an active performing violist. Lim has performed with the Abilene Philharmonic Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Las Colinas Symphony Orchestra, National Symphony of Malaysia, Australian National Opera Orchestra and the Texas Baroque Ensemble. Lim was a member of the University of North Texas Graduate String Quartet, under the sponsorship of the Liberace Foundation Scholarship.

Affiliate Members:

Mike Springer, Piano

Sydney Barber, Piano

Bridget Bem, Piano

Brenno Lima, Piano

Rebecca Noel, Piano

Andy Sperandeo, Vocals & Guitar

Adri Cordero Rojas, Vocals & Guitar/Piano

Edgar Valenzuela, Violin/ Viola

Edgar Valenzuela, concertmaster of the Irving Philharmonic, frequently subs for the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.

Jonathan Armerding, Violin/Viola
(concertmaster of Texas Chamber Orchestra)

Mauricio Campos, Violin

Rachael Fischer, Violin/Viola

Christian Harvey, Violin/Viola

Penny Tong, Violin/Viola

DeLane Marsh, Violin

Dr. Monica de la Hoz, Violin/Viola

Lucas Furtado, Violin

Pablo Cerdas, Violin

Bella Markham, Violin

Julia Harris, Violin

Rachael Levine, Cello

Johnna Bandy, Violin/Viola

Jacob Burk, Viola/Violin

Andy Hernandez, Violin

Marco Santistevan, Viola/Violin

Javier Galvan, Viola/Violin

Matt Velasquez, Viola

Donovan De Jesus, Viola

Susan O’Donnell, Viola/Violin

Brandon Morrison, Viola

Mark Landson, Violin/Viola

Gina Menden, Viola/Violin

Hunter Sanchez, Viola/Violin

Christelle Billan, Violin

Julia Oh, Violin

Marijn Meijer, Violin

Brianne Sargent, Cello

Noah Leiva, Cello

Arianna Menden, Cello

Jackie Johnson, Cello

Camilo Vasquez, Cello

Natalie Benefield, Cello

Elis Ramos, Cello

Alejandra Ramirez, Cello

Giuliano Bucheli, Cello

Tyler Auguillard, Cello

Ethan Nelson, Cello

Imjeong Choi, Cello

Ruben Rodriguez Borges, Bass

Jeffry Eckels, Bass

Bill Brott, Bass

Di Cao, Flute

Holly Rosenberg, Flute

Hannah Peterson, Flute

Suji Chang, Oboe

Connor O’Meara, Clarinet

Alan Lara, Trumpet

Joel Adair, Trumpet

A native Texan, trumpeter Joel Adair graduated summa cum laude in trumpet performance at Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana where he studied with Galindo Rodriguez, and completed a Master of Music degree in trumpet performance at Illinois State University studying with Dr. Amy Gilreath.

Adair has performed across the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex with Serenata Strings, Celebration Jazz Orchestra, as lead trumpet with the Bill Tillman Band, and subbed with Crosswinds Jazz Band, First Baptist Church Euless Big Band, and Brookhaven College Lab Band. He has performed across the country with numerous groups including the American Wind Symphony Orchestra, Shreveport Symphony Brass Ensemble, Rapides Symphony Orchestra, Brass Band of Central Illinois, Illinois State University and Bands of America Summer Symposium Faculty Brass Quintets, Ron Scott Jazz Orchestra, Peoria Municipal Band, and the Northwestern State University Baroque Trumpet Ensemble. Musicals and operettas performed include Bernstein’s West Side Story, Strauss’s Die Fledermaus, and Les Misérables.

Adair performed as principal trumpet in ensembles accompanying: Kyle Engler, international mezzo soprano soloist and McDaniel College faculty; Nikita Fitenko, internationally acclaimed pianist, Yamaha Artist, and Associate Professor of Piano at the Catholic University of America; Jeff Snider, international baritone soloist and Chair of Vocal Studies at The University of North Texas; Carolyn and Stephen Warner, The Cleveland Duo, pianist and violinist with the Cleveland Orchestra; and Julian Dawson, Adjunct Piano Professor at Northwestern University. Adair has also played in big bands accompanying jazz trumpet virtuoso Byron Stripling, trumpet soloist with the Army Blues jazz ensemble Graham Breedlove, and tenor saxophonist with Astral Project and Professor of Saxophone at Loyola University, Tony Dagradi. Likewise, he has also performed with numerous faculty members at both Northwestern State and Illinois State Universities.

Adair has recorded with the American Wind Symphony Orchestra and with the Illinois State University Wind Symphony, and has performed on 13 world premiere performances. Additionally, he has performed with the College Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Louisiana Intercollegiate Band, and with various ensembles at the Texas Music Educator’s Association conference, Louisiana Music Educator’s Association conference, the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, and the 2008 National Association of Composers USA (NACUSA) concert at the Eisemann Center.

Adair was co-winner of the 2005 Natchitoches-Northwestern Concerto Competition while Principal Trumpet with that ensemble, an alternate for the 2006 International Trumpet Guild Mock Orchestral Audition, Runner-Up at the 2006 ISU Wind Symphony Concerto Competition, and a finalist in the 2007 ISU Symphony Orchestra Concerto Competition. He has also appeared as a soloist with the Spirit of Northwestern Marching Band, and played both feature and improvisational solos with the NSU Jazz Orchestra and the ISU Jazz Ensemble.

As a teacher/clinician, Adair has served as head counselor for the NSU Honors Band Camp, ISU Jr. High Band Camp, and trumpet instructor for band camps/retreats in Texas, Louisiana, and Illinois. He was also trumpet instructor for the Illinois State University Community School for the Arts, and currently teaches private trumpet lessons in the Duncanville, DeSoto, and Mesquite school districts.

Chris Aucoin, trumpet

Chris Aucoin is comfortable performing all genres of music, and has performed countless performances in all venues, ranging from local night clubs, churches, hotel ballrooms and symphony halls.  In addition to Serenata Strings, he has performed as a member of the Dallas Civic Wind Ensemble, the nationally known Bill Tillman Band, Soul Tsunami (12 years), Celebration Orchestra (big band), Professor D, MAXX, The G-Men, Midnight Snack, All Saints Brass, Rock Bottom, Mariachi Adonai, and Souled Out.  In addition, as a freelance musician, he has played with many other local groups including Bulletproof Brass, King Creole, Robert Lee Kobb, Groove Posse, Ken Savage and the Best Kept Secret, and Lindy and the Look.  Aucoin has performed as a soloist at hundreds of weddings, and his performances have been heard on TV commercials in several states.   In addition to performing, Aucoin is an accomplished arranger, having written and transcribed hundreds of horn arrangements for numerous horn sections in the DFW area.  This was a natural progression in his career, and just another aspect to his musical career that he finds very fulfilling.