Education:
Walter Smith III earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Berklee College of Music in Boston, Ma. in 2002 and has full certification in Massachusetts to teach grades K-12. He also holds a master's in jazz performance from the Manhattan School of Music which he received in 2005, as well as a Graduate Certificate from the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz and the University of Southern California. He has studied with Bill Pierce, George Garzone, David Baker, Dave Liebman, Hal Crook, Jimmy Heath, Dick Oatts, Ralph Moore, Ron Carter, Benny Golson and others.

Experience:
Walter has been teaching private lessons to both individuals and groups since 1999 having students that were both professional and beginners, of all ages, on a variety of different instruments. Walter has taught both full and part time in numerous summer music programs (most recently the Stanford Jazz Workshop) in the areas of theory and improvisation, as well as appearing as a guest artist on several occasions with various school music programs. Walter has also taught masterclasses around the world on all levels from intermediate to college in a wide range of settings including big bands, combos, saxophone, and general jazz audiences. Besides leading clinics himself, Walter has taught in demonstration clinics alongside many musicians, some of which include Roy Haynes, Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and Nnena Freelon. Most recently, Walter has been teaching classes at LACHSA (Los Angeles County High School of the Arts) and CalState LA. These classes include Advanced Jazz Theory, Ear Training, Reading Ensemble, Improvisation 1 & 2, and Ensembles. Walter and his group have also been Artists-in-Residence at various festivals and workshops throughout Europe.