Interview with New Music Teacher - Mr. Smith-Knox

By: Oven Levy, 2026

Mr. Smith-Knox is the new music teacher at GM, and I’ve had the pleasure of being his student for the past few months. Mr. Smith-Knox began playing the drums at the age of seven and taught at Claremont Middle School for ten years, where he instructed band, choir, and marching band before joining Green Mountain. He was inspired to play drums because his great-grandfather had played the drums and had even played with the famous jazz pianist Bill Evans. 

Mr. Smith-Knox grew up in Rochester, New York, and has played many gigs in his time as a percussionist; he has played for jazz quartets and pit orchestras in the past, and especially likes playing for musical theater and pit orchestras. In his free time, Mr. Smith-Knox enjoys spending time with his wife and two daughters, hiking, and watching football; he is a big Buffalo Bills fan. 

Mr. Smith-Knox says that people have been really friendly at GM so far, and hopes to see enthusiasm and curiosity in students. From my time being taught by Mr. Smith-Knox, I have seen that he is a really great teacher and knows how to encourage and guide students to improvement. The holiday caroling trip was successful, and he has been able to bring the music program at GM back to life. We should all be excited to see what the future holds for the music department.