Karen Barbalich Smith

Karen Barbalich Smith began teaching in the Preparatory Music Program in the fall of 1979. Under the guidance of Piano Pedagogy instructor, Dr. Janet Swanzy, she taught both private and group lessons to children, as well as adults. In 1998, she left the program to concentrate on building her home studio, and continued to stay active in the various music organizations in the New Orleans area. In 2006, she returned to Loyola to assume the role of Piano Coordinator of the Preparatory Program, and to teach Class Piano and Piano Pedagogy.

She maintains an active teaching schedule, and her students have won recognition at both the state and local level. Mrs. Smith holds a permanent certificate from the Music Teachers' National Association, as well as a Certificate of Professional Advancement in Piano from the Louisiana Music Teachers' Association. and is a former President of the New Orleans Music Teachers' Association, She currently serves on the board of the Junior Philharmonic Society of New Orleans and the Musical Arts Society of New Orleans.