BIO

Born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, violinist Olga Smola is known for her striking versatility and charismatic stage presence. Equally at home in classical, jazz, rock, and electronic music, she performs internationally as a soloist, ensemble musician, and as a violin DJ.

Olga began playing violin at the age of six and went on to earn her BM, MM, and DMA from the Moscow State Conservatory, studying with Professors Alexandr Melnikov, Maya Glezarova, Alexandr Bonduryansky, and Andrey Shishlov. Early in her career, she co-founded the Alliance Trio, which won the Gold Medal and the Prize for Best Performance of a Contemporary Work at the 2nd Taneev International Chamber Music Competition. She later earned First Prize at the 5th International Muse World Competition.

Her concert appearances include performances in Monaco, Spain, Belgium, Croatia, France, England, Azerbaijan, across the United States, and throughout Russia.

Since 2016, she has served on the faculty of the University of Nebraska at Omaha School of Music, performing as a soloist with the Omaha Symphony and as guest violinist for Billy McGuigan’s Rock Twist show. She is also a founding member of the UNO Maverick Quartet, the quartet-in-residence at the UNMC Buffett Cancer Center, performing for major events across Nebraska.

Olga’s artistic curiosity has led her into the world of theater and interdisciplinary collaboration. In 2019, she was the music director, actress, and violinist for Blue Barn Theatre’s Indecent, which earned her the Best Music Director Award from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards. That same year, she served as music director, Russian cultural consultant, composer, arranger, and violinist for the Ollie Webb Center’s production of the Russian fairy tale Morozko, later nominated for Best Music Direction by OEAA.

In 2022, she returned to Blue Barn Theatre as composer, arranger, actress, and violinist for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, receiving the Best Sound Design Award from the Omaha Entertainment and Arts Awards.

Since 2020, Olga has been an official Touring Artist with the Nebraska Arts Council. In 2022, she became Executive Director of the Nebraska Crossroads Music Festival, which brings world-class artists and global traditions to Nebraska each August, creating bridges across cultures and communities through music.

Olga performs on two violins: a Timofei Filippovitch Podgorny violin (ca. 1932) and her custom-made Aurora electric violin.