For Howard University junior Sofia Smith, the sound of her trumpet is just as essential as her textbooks. A biology major with double minors in Spanish and music, Smith is charting a path toward medical school while keeping music at the center of her life. Originally from Washington, D.C., and a graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, she is on track to graduate in spring 2027. 

For Smith, music — especially jazz music — isn’t just a pastime. It’s a lifeline. Influenced by artists like Roy Hargrove, Bilal, and local trombonist Reginald Cyntje, she sees her trumpet as a source of connection.  

“No matter what else is happening, my trumpet is a constant source of peace and expression,” Smith said.  

She has carried that passion with her across borders, from joining the Howard University Jazz Ensemble to studying abroad to finding a second family in Howard’s Showtime Marching Band.  

“I think musicians are the coolest people, and I love the community and camaraderie that comes with being in ensembles,” she said. 

Smith studied under the famed Dr. Fred Irby III at Howard. Irby has since retired, but he was a cornerstone of the Department of Music beginning in 1974, serving as a professor of trumpet, coordinator of instrumental music, and most notably, as the founding director of the Howard University Jazz Ensemble that has recorded over 40 albums and toured across the globe.  

Smith’s time at Howard has shaped her both academically and personally. She describes attending an HBCU as transformative, praising the diversity of Howard’s student body and the university’s legacy of activism. 

“Everywhere you look, Howard students are doing inspiring things rooted in a deep respect and care for humanity,” she said.  

Smith has already built an impressive musical resume. She has performed at the Celebration Bowl in Atlanta, recorded at Bias Studios, and played in the pit orchestra for the musical “Sonnet and Soul” in fall 2024.  

“That experience pushed me musically with several challenging moments that helped me grow as a player,” she recalled.  

Looking ahead, Smith looks forward to joining the HU Showtime Band at the Orange Blossom Classic this year. She hopes to continue performing smaller gigs while giving back by teaching music to children, something she has already done through the Salvation Army.  

“Sharing music feels like the best way to give back a little bit of what it has given me,” she said. 

When asked what advice she would give incoming students, Smith said, “Don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone, even if you’ve never done something before.” For her, Howard has been a place of discovery — one where both her passions for medicine and music don’t conflict, but instead create harmony.