Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith

Wendy Smith has forged a career in music that spans international performance, artistic leadership, and groundbreaking national programmes. As Creative Director at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music, she has shaped world-class contemporary music, artist development, and creative learning programmes, producing landmark events including the first BBC Prom outside London in collaboration with BBC Radio 3.

Part of The Glasshouse’s founding team in 2002, Wendy helped build its programme across musical styles ahead of the opening of its Foster + Partners-designed building in 2004. Wendy also co-leads Newcastle Gateshead Music City in partnership with Generator, helping shape the North East as a hub of creativity and innovation.

A founding member and vocalist of Prefab Sprout, Wendy has recorded and toured globally, collaborating with artists such as Stevie Wonder, the Pet Shop Boys, Pete Townshend, and Thomas Dolby. Her more recent collaborations include performances and recordings with Tim Burgess (The Charlatans), Paul Smith (Maxïmo Park), LYR, and Poet Laureate Simon Armitage.

She played a pivotal role in creating Sing Up, national singing programme that transformed music in primary schools across the country, and established In Harmony Newcastle Gateshead, a community orchestral programme that has brought music-making into the heart of schools in the West End of Newcastle.

Proudly rooted in the North East, Wendy continues to champion the power of music as a performer, producer, and board member of Ensemble ’84 and the LIVE Trust.