Acclaimed for her “compelling presence, fearless attack, and technical aplomb and bravado” (The Day), violinist Chelsea Starbuck Smith is known for her dynamic artistry and infectious enthusiasm. She has performed as a soloist and chamber musician at major venues across the U.S. and abroad, including Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, David Geffen Hall, Carnegie Hall, the Elbphilharmonie, Musikverein Wien, and Palais de Fontainebleau.

Equally at home in classical, theatrical, and crossover settings, Chelsea has collaborated with artists such as Diana Ross, Baz Luhrmann at the Met Gala, Chris Thile, The Eagles, Kelly Clarkson, Debbie Harry & Blondie, The Knights Chamber Orchestra, and Joshua Bell's Chamber Orchestra of America. A seasoned Broadway musician, she has performed in over ten Broadway and off-Broadway productions, is a regular section-member of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular orchestra, and has served as concertmaster for Broadway’s A Christmas Carol, Beetlejuice and Rocktopia. She is currently performing in Broadway's &Juliet. For more theatre credits, click here.

As one half of the crossover duo Les Deux, Chelsea has been hailed as “unarguably gifted with a keen ear for arranging” (New York Examiner). Notable highlights include her original arrangement of The Star-Spangled Banner performed at Citi Field for the New York Mets Home Opener.

Chelsea has appeared as a soloist with the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Southern Finger Lakes Orchestra, and Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, where her performance of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto was called a “show-stopper, dominating the stage and electrifying her audience with her high-powered and knowing performance” (The Day).

Her television appearances include Glee, The Today Show, Live from Here, and a featured role in a national NYU Langone commercial filmed in Grand Central Station.

A graduate of The Juilliard School, Chelsea earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees, studying with Sally Thomas, David Chan, and Laurie Smukler. She is the recipient of the Norman Benzaquen Career Advancement Grant. Other distinguished teachers and mentors include Ann Setzer, Glenn Dicterow, Laura Wright, Jorja Fleezanis, James Gaffigan, Pinchas Zukerman, and Patinka Kopec. A dedicated third-generation educator, she has taught in New York City public schools as a teaching artist with the New York Philharmonic and currently serves on faculty at Temple Emanu-El, as well as the Charles Ives Music Festival.  Chelsea is passionate about passing on her love for music and is proud to work with an inspiring group of students at her teaching studio, where she helps young musicians, ages 3 through adult, cultivate their unique voices and find their artistic paths.

Offstage, Chelsea shares the spotlight with her cat -- a Scottish Fold named Leonard “Lenny” Bernstein -- whose unmistakable charisma rivals that of his famous namesake.

Chelsea's recordings include her debut album with Les Deux and a recent EP featuring the Corigliano Sonata with pianist Adam Rothenberg, available on iTunes and Spotify. She performs on a 2004 Kurt Widenhouse violin.