Violinist Gunnery Sergeant Chaerim Smith of Houston, Texas, joined “The President’s Own” Marine Chamber Orchestra in November 2007.

Gunnery Sgt. Smith began her musical training on piano at age 3 and violin at age 6. After graduating in 1998 from Memorial High School, she earned a bachelor of music degree in violin performance from the Manhattan School of Music in 2003. Her notable instructors include Lucie Robert of the Manhattan School of Music and Kenneth Goldsmith of the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University.

With the orchestra, Gunnery Sgt. Smith performs regularly at White House State Dinners, receptions, and other functions and appears with the Marine Chamber Orchestra in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Gunnery Sgt. Smith performed with the Harrisburg Symphony in Pennsylvania and taught violin and piano and freelanced in the New York tri-state area.