DeVaughn Q. Scott-Smith is a native of Norfolk, Virginia where she is a product of the Norfolk Public Schools. She is presently Assistant Professor of Music/Music Education and University Supervisor for Instrumental Music majors at her alma mater, Norfolk State University. She received her Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Master of Music from the same institution. While at Norfolk State University she studied the clarinet under Dr. Kenneth A. Keeling, Sr. (Department Chair, Carnegie Mellon University, Emeritus), Pittsburg, Pennsylvania and Dr. F. Gerard Errante a renowned world-wide clarinetist. She did further study at Virginia State University and presently at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia. She retired in 2010 as Band Director after 34 years at Blair Middle School located in the Ghent section of Norfolk, Virginia. While there, her students consistently earned superior and excellent ratings at band assessments and other competitions. She was noted by her colleagues and principal as one who was able to teach diverse groups of students. Because of her expertise, mentorship and reputation as a master teacher, she was appointed Instrument Music Specialist.

Mrs. Scott-Smith is one the first African American female band director in the surrounding area where she faced tremendous challenges in a mostly male dominated profession. She has served and continues to serve as guest clinician and adjudicator locally and out of state. She has served on various committees at Norfolk State University, served as a presenter at the Intercollegiate Music Association conference where her subject was entitled, “Current Trends in Music Education: How to get a job and keep it”! She also presented recently, a power point lesson on, “Student Engagement in the Classroom” for the School of Education’s Student Teacher Seminar at Norfolk State University. In the past few years, Mrs. Scott-Smith was appointed by Chesapeake City Council as a commissioner of Fine Arts, invited to become a board member of The Young Audiences, a board member of The Boys Choir of Hampton Roads and former Scholarship Chairman of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Tidewater Area Musicians Chapter, and the Association of Black Women Band Directors. She was a member of the Chesapeake Civic Chorus under the direction of Mrs. Geraldine T. Boone and on occasion sung with the I. Sherman Greene Chorale under the direction of Mrs. Elizabeth Eccles. She is an honorary member of Tau Beta Sigma Sorority and former university advisor for Sigma Alpha Iota Fraternity, Inc. She participated in the Cancer Walk held annually by her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc. at Mount Trashmore in Virginia Beach. Her most memorable accomplishment is having been ordained as a Deacon in June 2016, now Chairman of that ministry, at her church, New Calvary Baptist in Norfolk, Virginia. Her favorite saying is, “When You Know Better, Do Better”! DeVaughn is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Iota Omega Chapter. She is also a clinician, adjudicator and mentor. Through her ministry as a deacon at her church, she donates time to the Grief Ministry, Women’s Connection Ministry and other ministries such as the #1 Ushers Ministry, Hospitality Ministry, Culinary Ministry. She is a mentor and someone who is a listener and prayerful individual. and delivers non- judgmental response to any problem or situation that may arise. She serves her home city, Chesapeake, as an Officer of Elections.

She is most proud of her son, Anthem Smith, a 2012 graduate of Norfolk State University who is currently Director of Bands at Brunswick County High School and James S. Russell Middle School in Lawrenceville, Virginia. Beforehand, he served four years as Band Director at Vernon Johns Middle School and Assistant Band Director and arranger for Petersburg High School in Petersburg, Virginia. Mrs. Scott-Smith is married to her best friend Leroy Smith.