Samuel Smith

In this episode of Conducting Parkinson’s Conversations, Thomas Verrier’s guest is Samuel Smith. Samuel is a London-based singer-songwriter whose thoughtful lyrics, rich vocals, and Americana-inspired sound have earned acclaim in both the UK and the United States. After being diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2020, Samuel embraced innovative AI tools—not to write his songs, but to help bring his own musical ideas to life when the disease made playing guitar increasingly difficult. His acclaimed Nashville-produced album, “The Art of Letting Go,” features an all-star lineup of Grammy-winning musicians and stands as a powerful testament to resilience, creativity, and the enduring power of music. If you are a musician with Parkinson's, I would love to hear from you. I believe that when we share our stories, others on the Parkinson's journey will feel less alone. ABOUT CONDUCTING PARKINSON’S: I’m Thomas Verrier, conductor of the Vanderbilt University Wind Symphony, and I have Parkinson’s Disease. I have come to accept that Parkinson’s Disease will significantly shape my future. However, my acceptance does not equate to resignation. Quite the opposite, it has given me a strong sense of purpose and motivation! It is my desire that by sharing my story, others facing Parkinson’s Disease will know that they are not alone. I hope to inspire perseverance and adaptation; to create a forum for sharing and comparing experiences; to foster a supportive network of conductors/musicians with Parkinson’s; and to raise awareness and understanding among others in the broader community. FOLLOW ON SOCIALS: www.instagram.com/conductingparkinsons www.facebook.com/conductingparkinsons #parkinsondiseaseawareness#parkinsonsawareness#michaeljfoxfoundation