Aaron Nigel Smith's learning journey—steeped in music and expression—led him to this moment: the producer of the 2022 GRAMMY-nominated children's music album, All One Tribe by 1Tribe Collective. Read more about his Life in Learning.
- Primary School: The American Boychoir School in Princeton, NJ
- High School: Interlochen Arts Academy in Interlochen, MI
- University + major: Manhattan School of Music, University of Southern California, Marygrove College. I was a voice major, music education minor. I was lured away from school by paid touring opportunities.
- Class/Personal photo and story behind it: I was sitting in class in 4th grade with Mr. Memmot. My best friend Bruce is sitting next to me. I believe we had just completed a test.
- In school I excelled at: music, social studies, and chasing girls.
- In school I struggled with: math, homework, and practice.
- After school you could find me: skateboarding, snowboarding, or surfing.
- Troublemaker or Teacher's Pet? Teacher’s Pet
- You'd be surprised to learn that in school I: played Kíli in the “Lord of the Rings” play.
- In high school people thought I would grow up to be: a singer.
- Favorite teacher/professor and why: Mr. Kuzma at the American Boychoir School. He was the most inspiring teacher for me because he has a passion for music and teaching. He helped me understand the significance of really FEELING the music.
- Favorite book: 48 Laws of Power by Robert Greene
- First job: A newspaper delivery route. I was nine years old and working my route by bicycle! I think it was the Oberlin (Ohio) News Tribune.
- If I could do any job, it would be: carpenter or puppet builder.
- The course I'd most like to take today: How to care about social media
- If I could have any celebrity as a teacher, I’d pick: Barack Obama.
- Today I learn the most from: Preschoolers.
- Do you learn best by reading, listening or doing? Doing, because it allows for practice rather than imagining. The muscle memory seems to reinforce concepts for me!
- Best piece of career advice I ever received: Overnight success takes about 10 years.
- My personal superpower is: kindness.
Watch Aaron's music video for "March Together" featuring Shine & the Moonbeams, from the GRAMMY-nominated album All One Tribe.