Host Kathy Lawton Brown talks with Michael V. Smith, Ph.D., the E. Desmond Lee Endowed Professor of Music Education at the University of Missouri – St. Louis and the Director of the Des Lee Fine Arts Education Collaborative. Prior to coming to UMSL in January of 2016, Dr. Smith headed the Music Education Division of the Benjamin T. Rome School of Music at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Dr. Smith has also chaired and taught courses in the Music Education Departments at DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois, Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois, and at Ottawa University in Ottawa, Kansas. Prior to these experiences, he taught instrumental, choral and general music (K-12) for 10 years in the public schools of Topeka, Kansas.

The Collaborative is dedicated to enhancing the quality, influence, attitudes, and accessibility of fine arts by connecting educators, artists, and performers with St Louis students. Special attention is given to underserved populations. The Collaborative is made up of  St. Louis area arts agencies and St. Louis area school districts – including Classic 107.3!