Violist Jocelyn Smith grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, where she began string and piano studies at the age of nine. She earned her Bachelor of Music degree in viola performance from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Chauncey Patterson, former violist of the Miami String Quartet, and Lisa Boyko of the Cleveland Orchestra. While Ms. Smith has been a member of the Richmond Symphony since 2009, she became a full-time member in 2023. Prior to 2023, she was a core member of the Virginia Symphony Orchestra for twenty years. Ms. Smith was a founding member, along with husband and cellist Peter Greydanus, of the Clivia String Trio, which was named Performing Artists of the Year by Young Audiences of Virginia in 2008. From 2001 to 2016 she was a member of the Crested Butte Music Festival in Colorado. During that time, Ms. Smith and Mr. Greydanus formed the Sally Miner String Quartet in the Gunnison Valley of Colorado and additionally spearheaded the creation of an afterschool strings program for the students of Crested Butte. Whether it be onstage, in the classroom, or through private instruction, Ms. Smith is passionate about creating and fostering connection through music.