Faces
By Manus Hopkins
CHRISTIE SMITH
Christie Smith was afraid to take piano lessons as a kid .
Her family had always been musical , but there were no professional musicians in the family just yet . Still , they all loved music , and many of them participated in school bands and church choirs . Sing-alongs were a big part of family celebrations , and Smith credits those times with teaching her “ the power music had to pull together family and community .” Eventually , her younger sister started taking piano lessons , and Smith got jealous and started taking lessons herself six months later . “ I think I might owe her a beer or something !” she jokingly exclaims . Now , as Alfred Music ’ s account manager for Canada , the U . S ., and internationally , she is still constantly surrounded by music . She ’ s been learning the ins and outs of the music retail business since age 15 , when she ordered her first music book over the phone from Ward Music — a Christmas book that had a picture of a gift wrapped in gold paper on the cover , Smith recalls . The excitement she felt upon receiving the book in the mail and realizing there was a place full of more books like it , as well as musical instruments and more , sparked an interest in one day working as a music products dealer .
“ I honestly felt it would be the biggest dream ever to work there one day ,” she says with a laugh . “ And here I am all these years later , living the dream !”
By 1987 , Smith had moved to New Westminster , BC , and graduated from Douglas College . Around this time , she saw a job opening for a piano / keyboard salesperson at Tom Lee Music — however , one of the requirements for the job was experience with MIDI , and Smith had no idea what that meant .
“ Three interviews later , I was heartbroken not to receive the job ,” she remembers .
But this wasn ’ t enough to make Smith give up on her dreams , and three months later , she applied again , this time making it through two interviews and just barely landing the job , as a “ fresh out of college somebody with absolutely zero experience .” Smith went on to work her way up through the ranks at Tom Lee , becoming the manager of the print music department before leaving for an opportunity at Ward Music . There , Smith found herself fully immersed in the music industry and working with some top professionals in the field . When Long & McQuade bought Ward Music in 2000 , Smith continued to enjoy a position as the event and sponsorship coordinator of their Vancouver store , until Alfred Music recruited her in 2015 . Now working from home in North Vancouver , she is able to collaborate with dealers all over the world .
“ It ’ s been incredibly interesting being a part of the other side of the business ,” she says . “ It ’ s a privilege that I never take for granted .”
Smith ’ s list of career highlights is a long and impressive one , including a two-year run as president of the Retail Print Music Dealers Association ( RPMDA ) and multiple awards . By the time Smith had become the RPMDA ’ s president , they had made significant changes , like seeing to it that publishers became full voting members and were in equal standing with retailers . While Smith admits that the work could be difficult , she also says it was ultimately rewarding and opened new opportunities .
“ I love being thrown into new challenging situations and coming up with creative and innovative solutions ,” she says . “ I am really not afraid of change .”
Christie Smith holding her first piano book ; published by Alfred Music
Smith likes to look at the big picture when it comes to her work , and think about the effect it has on the global music community . She says she loves being part of a company that creates products that help to create musicians , working with dealers who are supporting students , teachers , and musicians in their communities , and especially working with the minds who are coming up with the next steps for the music industry .
“ It ’ s cool to think that what we produce today becomes someone else ’ s first book or instrument , and maybe it fills them with the same excitement and possibility I felt when I unwrapped my first book ,” she says .
Not everything is the same , of course , but Smith has managed to work through the pandemic , but also taken time to draw , paint , take photos , and push through what she calls “ self-imposed boundaries .” She and five of her fellow RPMDA members started a book club this year , with a focus on books about personal and professional development . This has led Smith to gain a better understanding of herself , her team , and her company . She believes this will help her in her career , as she finds new ways to get ahead of the music industry ’ s rapidly-changing needs . While the music industry is facing unprecedented times , it is as crucial as ever for musicians to have the tools to learn and create .
Manus Hopkins is an Editorial Assistant at Canadian Music Trade .
18 CANADIAN MUSIC TRADE