Stephen Smoot

Stephen Ronald Smoot was born in Columbus, OH, on March 21, 1963 and died suddenly on Friday, November 27, 2020 in Chicago, IL, at the age of 57. He is the third son born to Lewis R. and Genevieve W. Smoot, Sr. He attended Westerville North High School where he participated in drama, the band, and the choir. Upon graduation, he attended Ashland College and The Ohio State University. He worked at Smoot Construction of Columbus, OH, where his family operates and owns The Smoot Corporation. Stephen received his early training in the arts/music at St. Philips Episcopal Church in Columbus, OH where he was taught and nurtured by Bus Wright, Lavina Hunter and Joyce Robinson. He was also involved in Boy Scouts Troop 48. He didn’t stop there ... In junior high school he was a part of a special singing group, the Hi-Los. In senior high school he was chosen to participate with the notable community group, Song Spinners. As well, while attending Westerville North, he played the trombone for the marching band and was chosen for the Ohio Honors Chorale where he toured in Europe for two weeks. He went on to sing at St. Joseph’s Cathedral and other Catholic churches in Columbus, OH; and Opera Columbus. He was a drum major at Ashland College. Stephen was the Marketing Director for the Alaska Light Opera Theatre in Anchorage, Alaska, in January 1989 and changed careers in October 1989 working as the Customer Service Representative at Carrstix in Anchorage. He became the Arts Co-op Manager for the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts until 1991. In January 1988 he was the Artistic Producer of A.D.V.A.N.C.E. (Association for the Development of Vocal Artistry and Neighborhood Cultural Enrichment) in Columbus, OH. Stephen was the Founder/General Director of the Columbus Ensemble Singers from 1992 - 1999. This group performed at the Statehouse for its 1996 Capital Renovation Dedication. He was a professional singer on opera stages from Chicago to Alaska, and a celebrated cantor for several churches here in Columbus, as well as Chicago’s Holy Name Cathedral. He also sang in competitions around the world winning numerous awards and recognitions for his gifted voice and musical abilities. In 1996, he was offered and accepted an invitation from the Urban Gateways: The Center for Arts in Education in Chicago IL to work as a Public Affairs Associate. He later became the Assistant Music Administrator/Visa Administrator for Lyric Opera of Chicago. In May 2005 when the door opened to become the Artistic Producer for the Ravinia Festival Association in Highland Park, IL, Stephen became affiliated and remained there for 15 years until his death. There he produced hundreds of concerts for the Ravinia Festival. Known for his quick wit and generous impulse to shine the spotlight on others, he produced a myriad of concerts and recitals in Ravinia’s Martin Theatre by such artists as Rene Fleming, Matthias Goerne, Michelle DeYoung, Thomas Hampson, and Pinchas Zukerman. He facilitated the recording of a number of these concerts for broadcast on Chicago’s only classical station, WFMT. That series returns with new concerts in January, 2021 and will be dedicated to Mr. Smoot’s memory. Stephen is survived by his parents, Lewis Sr. and Genny; two brothers, Lewis, Jr. (Benita) and Richard (Kristi), as well as cousins: Mark Cain (Adriana) of Columbus; Michael (Joe) Cain of New Jersey; and Candace Cain-Leye of Chicago. His extended family included: Barbara Wright-Pryor of Chicago; Kimberly Gosell and family of Chicago; Kaire Horton of Columbus; Cassie Tilly of Alaska; Pat Huggard, Sonya Bronson and family of Columbus. He will be missed by a large family of aunts, uncles, and a nephew: Lewis R. Smoot, III (Trey) of Columbus; cousins: Gabriella, Illiana, and Mateo Cain all of Columbus and Moussa Leye of Chicago. He was preceded in death by his grandparents; Sherman R. (Betty) Smoot, Daniel (Thelma) Robinson, and aunt: Nina Smoot Cain. Stephen would write a daily uplifting inspirational note every day and he will be missed by many Facebook friends. Due to the current pandemic, services were private. A public celebration of his life will be planned when conditions allow. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to one of the associations listed: Harmony Project of Columbus - To make a donation, visit https://www.harmonyproject.com. Click on ‘Donate’ and give in honor or memory of Stephen Smoot. Urban Strings of Columbus - They have set up a scholarship in his name. Donations may be mailed to P.O. Box 13673 - Columbus OH 43213 Ravinia’s Reach Teach Play education programs, which serve 85,000 people each year through such initiatives as Sistema Ravinia. This program creates student orchestras for elementary schools without music programs of their own by providing instruments, curriculum, and teachers. This program was near and dear to Stephen’s heart such that he encouraged guest artists who performed in the Ravinia Festival to take time during their visit to have conversations with and offer words of encouragements to the students. To donate, visit https://www.ravinia.org/donatenow/rtp.