Kelly Smith Toney

Kelly Smith Toney is a highly experienced music instructor and professional musician with a diverse background in string instruments. Currently serving as an Instructor at Ensemble Music Schools since July 2022 and a Violin Instructor at Grace Notes School of Music since October 2016, Toney provides private lessons for students ranging from ages 7 to 87. As a long-time performer, Toney held the position of Concertmaster for Opera Louisiane from October 2007 to June 2022 and was a member of the First Violin section with the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra from January 1986 to May 2022. Additional experience includes serving as Musician-in-Residence at Baton Rouge General Medical Center (2016-2019) and as an Orchestra Instructor for the East Baton Rouge Parish School System (2006-2016). Toney completed both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees in Violin from The Juilliard School (1978-1983) and maintained a long tenure as Concertmaster for The Louisiana Sinfonietta (1985-2014).