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Lindell Smith
Building a Recording Arts career
I do it for the little kids. If you can show them they can be successful, it really helps break the stereotypes that are out there and helps motivate them.
Lindell Smith
Lindell Smith has always loved music and recording. Lindell was in elementary school when he started to put his passion to work. "I was the 'sound guy' – I helped with concerts, dances and other things that needed sound," says the personable 19-year-old.
By the time he was in junior high, Lindell's talent was getting him noticed. In 2005, the youth librarian at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library asked Lindell to create a film featuring a community mobilization project called "Black Youth & Crime". The film became the spotlight of crime prevention activities at the Library and was nominated for the province's Community Economic Development Award.
Over the next four years, Lindell continued to give back to his community through his work at the Halifax North Memorial Public Library. He produced another film, helped organize community festivals and brought black youth and police officers together for a conference aimed at building better relationships between the two groups.
"I do it for the little kids," says Lindell. "If you can show them they can be successful, it really helps break the stereotypes that are out there and helps motivate them."
During his busy high school years, the honours student still found time to play basketball and start building his music recording skills. Lindell's work and achievements were recognized with a Lieutenant Governor's Award for Community Service and Education. He was asked to join the Musicwerkz label, helping local artists produce albums and making beats using a laptop and other equipment at home.
With his high school years behind him, the decision on what to do next was an easy one for Lindell. "I knew I wanted to make recording arts my career, but I also wanted to stay in my community. The Recording Arts program at NSCC was a perfect fit."
Lindell's volunteer work in his community earned him a number of bursaries and scholarships to help cover the cost of tuition. Lindell was one of the first recipients of the R. Sobey Community Leadership Award, presented through the NSCC Foundation. The $2,000 award is presented to students who demonstrate a commitment to community involvement.
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