Cynthia Smith
Adjunct Music
Area of Specialty: Adjunct/Applied Organ
- Contact
- Garvey Fine Arts CenterRm 2111700 SW College AveTopeka, KS 66621-1117785.670.3304
- Degrees & Certifications
- Bluffton College, Bachelor of Arts
- Bowling Green St University, Master of Music
- Assoc Mennonite Biblical Sem, Master of Divinity
- The University of Kansas, Doctor of Musical Arts
- Academic History
- Taught middle/high school vocal music, Spencerville, OH, 1976-79.
Graduate assistantship - opera accompanist, BGSU, 1980-81.
Graduate assistantship - class piano instruction, BGSU, 1981-82.
Piano instructor, BGUS Creative Arts Program, 1982-84.
Choral accompanist, AMBS, 1984-87.
Core adjunct faculty in worship/arts, AMBS-Great Plains, 2000-11.
Choral accompanist, Topeka West High School, 2002-04.
Accompanied Washburn mixed choir and Singers, 2008-18.
Taught applied organ, Washburn University, 2014-18, 2021-present.
Taught class piano, Washburn University, 2017-18.
- Course List
- MU 265 Applied Organ
- MU 465 Applied Organ
- Service Interests/Activities
- Has served as music leader and/or accompanist for numerous assemblies of the Western District Conference of Mennonite Church USA.
From 2018-20, served as unit leader for the Service Adventure Program in Jackson, MS, through the Mennonite Church.
- Career Accomplishments
- Served as guest organist for numerous recitals and other occasions through the Mennonite Church USA and its seminary (AMBS).
Served for 30 years (1988-2018) as co-pastor of the Southern Hills Mennonite Church, Topeka, playing the organ, directing the choir, and leading congregational music.
From 2016 to 2020 was part of the team that produced the newest hymnal, Voices Together, for the Mennonite Church US/Canada, helping to shape the pew and accompaniment editions and serving as one of the primary music proofreaders. Following the publication of the hymnal, served as a resource to introduce new songs/hymns to various congregations in the midwest.
Is currently serving as organist at First Presbyterian Church, Topeka, in addition to teaching organ and accompanying at Washburn University.
