Ricky Smith is a dynamic performer and educator based in Portland, Oregon. He performs as Second and Bass Clarinet with the Oregon Ballet Theatre Orchestra and recently served as Acting Principal Clarinet with the Portland Opera and Acting Second Clarinet with the Oregon Symphony. He has also performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Eugene Symphony, and chamber ensembles such as 45th Parallel Universe, along with various regional orchestras throughout Portland and Western Pennsylvania.

In the summer, he has participated in the Siletz Bay Music Festival, Oregon Bach Festival, Aspen Music Festival, and the AIMS Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria.

A passionate advocate for music education, Ricky maintains a thriving private studio made up of students from across Portland. He also teaches clarinet at George Fox University and is excited to begin teaching at University of Portland and Pacific University in the Fall of 2026.

Ricky holds a Master of Music and an Advanced Music Studies Certificate in Clarinet Performance from Carnegie Mellon University, as well as a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Southern Methodist University. His principal teachers include Michael Rusinek and Paul Garner. Outside of music, he enjoys skiing, exploring Oregon’s wine country, and traveling.