CLARA REYNOLDS ELEMENTARY

Starla Smith moved to Harrah in January of 1976, as a sixth grader.  Her family moved from Oklahoma City to assist her father's brother in the local funeral business.  She was active in band, 4-H, and church activities.  Starla graduated from Harrah High School in 1982, and went on to graduate from St. Gregory's College ('84) with an Associates in Social Sciences, and from Southwestern Oklahoma State University ('88) with a Bachelor in Instrumental Music Education degree.  Miss Smith is also certified to teach vocal music, and general music Pre-K through 12. 

All of Miss Smith's teaching career (27 years) has been in the Harrah Public School system.  She has taught elementary/middle school/high school band, middle school handbell choir, middle school jazz band, middle school study skills, middle school music appreciation, middle/high school vocal music, middle school in-school suspension, elementary music at Virginia Smith Elementary, and is presently teaching music at Clara Reynolds Elementary.

In past years, Starla has provided private instruction in all of the band instruments, guitar, and voice.  She was also instrumental in starting a drum circle in 2006 with local piano instructor Auda Marie Thomas.  The group, Rhythm Eruption, was active for two years.

Miss Smith has also directed Methodist church choirs in Harrah, and in Holdenviille, OK.  She is presently serving as cantor and choir member at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Harrah.  Starla also has an active solo career performing Southern Gospel music.

Starla's hobbies include:  singing, playing the guitar, reading, participating in the Epsilon Phi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Iota (a teacher's sorority), raising money for the Harrah Relay for Life, providing care for a beloved friend, and loving on her furbaby, Eartha Kitt Katt.

Miss Smith loves imparting her love of music to her students, and is very thankful to be educating students in the excellent Harrah school system.