Vale - Kerry Smith (1961)

Vale Kerry Smith (26 June 1944 - 15 July 2026)

Tributes from the musical community both within Australia and overseas recently flowed for Kerry Smith, who attended Somerville House from 1958 until 1961. Such was her regard that at her recent funeral, twelve of her former colleagues and past students performed in a beautiful collaboration of classical music.

Kerry’s violin studies began at an early age. Her long association with the Queensland Conservatorium, now the school’s Chambers Building, commenced while she was a student of Somerville House, when she studied the violin part-time with Basil Jones.

She proceeded to full-time study at the Conservatorium in 1962 and in 1963 was the first Conservatorium student to win the National Finals of the ABC Concerto and Vocal Competition.

In 1966 Kerry was awarded one of the first Churchill Fellowships and she commenced postgraduate studies in England.

After returning to Brisbane she was a regular soloist for the Queensland Symphony Orchestra as well being a sessional lecturer in violin at the Conservatorium. She was a committed teacher at both the Conservatorium and in her private studio. In addition, she was one of the busiest string examiners for the AMEB.

Kerry had very fond memories of her school days at Somerville House and was in regular touch with the friends she made there.

Kerry is survived by her husband, Doug Russell.