Samantha Smith

Samantha Smith began playing the violin at age seven, studying with the late Richard DiAdadamo of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. She graduated from Duquesne University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Violin Performance and a Business Certificate. During her time at Duquesne, she performed with several regional orchestras, including the Butler Symphony, Youngstown Symphony, and West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. After graduating, she relocated to Rochester, New York, where she worked at Sullivan Violins as a marketing communications manager and violin sales specialist before eventually returning to Pittsburgh.

How did you first start playing with Radiant Strings?

I first started playing with Radiant Strings in 2022 once I moved back to Pittsburgh from Rochester, NY. Having known Nicole [Radiant Strings founder] since 2015, returning to Pittsburgh and joining Radiant Strings felt especially meaningful. Playing alongside one of my closest friends, in a city that has shaped me both personally and musically, made the experience feel full-circle.

What makes Radiant Strings special to you?

Radiant Strings is special to me because it’s my musical family. This group is made up of exceptionally talented musicians who have played together for years, and that shared history is something you can truly feel at every gig we perform. Radiant Strings represents not just high-level musicianship, but friendship, collaboration, and a shared commitment to creating memorable experiences. Every time I play a gig with Radiant Strings, I know it will be a great time for us as musicians and for the people we’re performing for. There’s something really special about being part of a group where you’re not just playing notes, but helping create moments that people will remember long after the music ends.