Claire Smith admits that working as a freelance musician in New York City has its highs and lows. But for her, there are moments like Dec. 3, 2003, that make it all worthwhile. That evening she performed on stage and helped choreograph the staging of "Fiddlefest," a benefit concert at Carnegie Hall that included such musicians as Itzhak Perlman, Pinchas Zukerman, Joshua Bell, Yo-Yo Ma and Bobby McFerrin.

"It was a great learning experience and an exciting night, especially because I worked behind the scenes as well," she says.

A violinist since age nine, Smith loves the variety of work she gets on a day-to-day basis as a freelancer. "I'm called on for a number of different types of performances. I just played a computer game score for a software company based in Austin. I regularly work with opera and dance groups and musical theatre."

Since many of her jobs take place on a short term or fill-in basis, there is often very little time to learn the music. "I'll get called by a contractor, and maybe I get the music in advance. There are very few rehearsals if any. When you are replacing a regular, they don't stop everything to catch you up."

And while subbing can be stressful, it is one of the best ways for a musician to "get into the pool" for the coveted chairs of Broadway productions, which is one of Smith's goals. "I love the theatre. My brother is an actor here in New York, and I really enjoy the medium. I've had some Off-Off-Broadway experience that has been wonderful."

The irregularity of her night work is offset somewhat by her day job as a violin teacher. She serves as a private instructor as well as on several music school faculties, including Third Street Music School Settlement and Opus 118 Harlem Center for Strings. The latter led to her involvement with Fiddlefest.

A native of Victoria, Smith was encouraged throughout her youth to be involved in music, but her parents convinced her to branch out in her choice of major at Southwestern. So despite earning a music scholarship and serving four years as the Southwestern Orchestra's concertmaster, she earned a degree in psychology. "It helps me now in that teaching involves child psychology and living in New York City is a study in abnormal psychology!"

After graduating and working for two years at the Texas State Comptroller's Office, she entered the Boston Conservatory of Music and earned a master's in violin performance. She began freelancing there both during and after school, but she felt the opportunity to move to New York City two years ago was too much to pass up.

"I had a good base of friends here who helped me get my name out to start networking. I have always wanted to live here in the city. There is such a wealth of cultural activities and energy. And for a musician, there is no place like it."