iSound

Alina Smith didn’t grow up listening to R&B. Still, the 19-year old singer/songwriter, steeped in classical music during her childhood in Europe, undeniably has soul. Blending genres like Soul, R&B and Pop, the artist and her music are far from the ordinary. Born and raised in St. Petersburg, Russia. Mother was a teacher and an actress who also sang opera. Alina was a prodigy. At 2, she could read and write. At 3, she started singing. By 4, she spoke English and began painting. Writing poetry and stories at 5. A happy child, but not without the need to escape the harsh reality of Russia. “It’s a tough, dangerous place to grow up,” – she confides. At 6, Alina had a choice between a scholarship to a renowned music academy and a prized invitation to the famed Vaganovsky Ballet School. Ultimately, the decision in favor of a musical education was made. While at the academy, she was the youngest singer ever invited into the prestigious choir “Aurora” and the only one hon...