Washington DC-Baltimore Area
"Teaching and Music are in Tony Small's DNA" -- The Baltimore Sun (2022). The Indianapolis Star quotes that the “Stage becomes classroom for kids” at the Historic National Landmark Madame Walker Theatre (where Tony served as Artistic Director) and Chicago Loyola University’s Center for Urban Research Quarterly reported “No one doubts that if Tony has his way, every child who works with him will be one of tomorrow’s leaders.” Tony started playing the piano as a child prodigy at the tender age of 4, was a local church accompanist at 6 and hired as the paid Music Director at 11. At 17, he was the Illinois high school classical music state runner-up and performed the Revolutionary Etude by Chopin. He was selected as a classical honors recital performer (Grand Scherzo by Gottschalk & Impromptus #2 by Schubert) his sophomore year at Anderson University where he also was a record-breaking Track & Field athlete. Today, Tony is a multi-genre award winning Composer/Lyricist (Musical Theatre, Jazz, Classical and Gospel Music). He has curated award-winning Multidisciplinary Arts Programs as a Music Educator in 4 major cities (Chicago, Indianapolis, Baltimore and the Greater Washington DMV areas) for over 35 years; his career includes serving as one of the nation’s top 50 White House Millennium Council Artists (Composer/Lyricist & Playwright). His commissions as composer/librettist include the Qadar opera from the Sultanate of Oman and the Smithsonian with Artistic Direction from Denyce Graves. Other awards include include: 2012 & 2009 National Meet The Composer Award, Tony Award winning BMI Lehman Engel Musical Theatre Composer Alum (New York Times calls “The Harvard of Musical Theatre), 2008 American Composer Forum Award Winner, 2008 Stellar for ”I Am” recorded by Maurette Brown Clark, Guest Actor on the 2008 final HBO WIRE — Director of boys choir featured on the 2008 sound track, 2007 Maryland State Arts Composer Award, and a 2000 White House millennium winning Composer/Playwright Residency (America’s top 55 Community Artists) chaired by Hillary Clinton. He served as the 1st Regional Artistic Director for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington for 14 years and has served as Artistic Director for the Historic Madame Walker Theatre (A National Landmark built by Madame CJ Walker), Lecturer of Fine Arts at Chicago Loyola University, Training Director for the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Linkages Program and Founding Director of the Urban League’s Camp Smart (North Chicago/Waukegan).
Serves as Director of the largest African American Catholic church in the Baltimore Archdiocese and most recent merger with 4 addditional catholic parishes. Manages and teaches a weekly adult choir and quarterly men’s, women’s and children’s choirs. He also is responsible for producing an extensive advent/Christmas and Easter production as well as community STEAM summer camps and Saturday Arts programs.
Taught Pre-K through 5th grade music classes utiilzing Orff methodology/instruments, daily chorus, percussion and original STEAM curricula & Edutainment at largest Baltimore public school (Over 1,000 students). Kipp is a title 1 school
Served as Music Director at the prestigious private High School's Summer Musical Theatre Camps. Campers explored the fundamentals of singing, dancing, acting, and creative drama while working towards an ensemble performance Aladin, Frozen and The Music Man Jr! Featuring some of musical theater’s most iconic songs such as,”76 Trombones.” The Music Man Jr. follows a fast-talking salesman who comes to River City and falls for the town librarian. Roles will be cast at the start of camp. This camp culminated in a performances on the mainstage for families and friends on the last day of the 3 sessions. Changed/adjusted keys in "Whole New World" to lead's Tessitura. 2025 Summer Schedule: Session 1: The Lion King KIDS (ages 8-14): June 16- June 27 (no camp June 19- 9 days): Session 2: Willy Wonka KIDS (ages 8-14): July 14- July 25 (10 days): 8:45am- 2:45pm
Tony Small has won national composer/lyricist awards in Musical Theatre, Gospel, Classical genres and served as an Interdisciplinary and Resident Artist worldwide. Some of Tony’s signature works include: • Holiday Sing|Swing|Tings Trilogy Concert series @ Kennedy Ctr; • Teen Arts Program (TAP) won the 2016 top 50 President's Arts & Humanities award; • Qadar Opera (Composer, Librettist, Lyricist and Orchestrator) World Debut) @ Clarice Performing Arts Center. Qadar is the first operatic work ever commissioned by the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art and Sultante of Oman to introduce new and diverse audiences to Opera, Arabic and African cultures; • RUKA the Musical (2014 World Debut) @ Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theatre Stage. Composer, Librettist, Lyricist and Orchestrator; • Endangered Eco-musical & Waltz of the Butterfly Ballet debuts (2013 World Debut) @ Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. Composer & Lyricist; • Tales & Traditions (2009 World Debut) @ The Smithsonian’s Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and the Fort DuPont Jazz Festivals in Washington D.C. National Meet the Composer award; • Shine Through Musical: Debut at THEARC Theatre 2008; • I Am (2006) @ live recording by Maurette Brown (Stellar Award/Grammies of Gospel); • Ribbons & Thread Holiday Musical (2007 debut) @ Reginald Lewis Museum, Baltimore, MD. Librettist, Composer & Lyricist; • SCIENCEQUEST Musical (2000) @ commissioned by the Hayti Heritage in Durham, NC (America’s Top Community Artist and White House Millennium Award) sponsored by the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation and NEA; • ACRO (Acrocanthosaurus Dinosaur) Theme Song and recording (2000) for world exhibit debut at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences; • Waltz of the Butterfly 1st symphonic movement (2000) world debut at Museum of Life & Science Magic Wings Butterfly House.