Liberty County-educated Aaron Smith got a taste of success earlier this year, being cast in the orchestra that provided music for Spike Lee’s latest movie, "Miracle at St. Anna."
The trumpeter is the son of Jennifer and Ernest Smith of Hinesville, and attended Lewis Frasier Middle School and Bradwell Institute.
"He completed high school at Interlochen School of the Arts in Michigan after the former band teacher at Bradwell told him he couldn't teach him any more," Jennifer Smith said.
That was Michael Ward, who advised Aaron to expand his horizons, and after leaving Michigan, Aaron moved to California. In May, he received a master's degree in music performance education from the California School of Arts, which is affiliated with the Disney empire.
Jennifer Smith said her son has been living in Ventura, Calif., and freelancing.
Lee's movie is about four black American soldiers who get trapped in a Tuscan village during World War II. Terence Blanchard wrote the score and directed the Hollywood Studio Symphony, into which Smith was recruited.
The trumpeter is the son of Jennifer and Ernest Smith of Hinesville, and attended Lewis Frasier Middle School and Bradwell Institute.
"He completed high school at Interlochen School of the Arts in Michigan after the former band teacher at Bradwell told him he couldn't teach him any more," Jennifer Smith said.
That was Michael Ward, who advised Aaron to expand his horizons, and after leaving Michigan, Aaron moved to California. In May, he received a master's degree in music performance education from the California School of Arts, which is affiliated with the Disney empire.
Jennifer Smith said her son has been living in Ventura, Calif., and freelancing.
Lee's movie is about four black American soldiers who get trapped in a Tuscan village during World War II. Terence Blanchard wrote the score and directed the Hollywood Studio Symphony, into which Smith was recruited.