Mercedes Smith, a Texas native, is Principal Flutist of the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestras.  She has performed in Asia, Europe, and throughout the United States.  Most recently she was awarded 2nd Place in the 2007 Haynes International Flute Competition.  As first prizewinner of Artists International, she gave her New York Recital Debut in

Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall in 2002.  Her performance featured solo and chamber works all by American composers including three world premieres.  Also as a recitalist, Mercedes performed at the Kunming International Arts Festival, China, in a performance that was televised throughout Asia.  She has been a top-prizewinner in competitions sponsored by the National Flute Association, Music Teacher's National Association, and Flute Talk Magazine.  As first prizewinner of the Manhattan School of Music’s Concerto Competition, she performed the Concerto for Flute by Jacques Ibert under the baton of Gunther Schuller.

Formerly a resident of the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas, Mercedes performed at the Hot Springs Music Festival for three years and was also featured in the nationally televised PBS documentary "Sound of Dreams" highlighting the festival.  In previous summers, Mercedes has been a fellowship recipient at Tanglewood, Music Academy of the West, and was a member of the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland.  As a chamber musician, she has performed Brandenburg Concerti with Bargemusic in New York City and was featured with Da Camera of Houston and Musiqa.  This summer Mercedes will perform chamber music at Marlboro in Vermont. 

Ms. Smith was accepted to the Manhattan School of Music at the age of 16 and is greatly indebted to her teachers Michael Parloff, Jeanne Baxtresser, and Dr. Ronda Mains.