Mikhaila Smith is a South African composer and pianist based in New York City, whose work spans film, the concert hall, and interdisciplinary art. Blending classical expression with cinematic nuance, Smith creates sonic worlds that are both intimate and evocative, rooted in romanticism yet alive with a contemporary edge.

Her latest feature film score, Variations on a Theme, South Africa’s official submission for the Academy Awards, premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, where it won the festival’s top prize. Her score for the feature film Carissa premiered at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival, further establishing her distinctive voice in contemporary cinema. In the concert hall, her commissioned orchestral work Lighting Our Stories premiered as the featured composition at the 2023 Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival.

Signed to Platoon, Smith released her debut solo piano album, NOIR, in September 2025. A deeply personal collection of compositions, the album draws on the grandeur of classical romanticism and the evocative storytelling of film music, exploring themes of love, longing, memory, and the poetry of everyday life. With its intimate yet cinematic sound, NOIR represents a defining expression of Smith’s artistic voice.

In September 2026, Smith was a featured performer for Acne Studios during New York Fashion Week, bringing her distinctive piano artistry to the fashion house’s 30th-anniversary celebration.

Beyond the concert hall and screen, Smith's interdisciplinary collaborations include her work with South African visual artist Mia Thom on installations such as Soil Lullaby, Attune, and Idée Fixe. Her music has been exhibited internationally, including at Galerie im Körnerpark in Berlin, the Johannesburg Art Gallery, and Everard Read in Cape Town, reflecting her fascination with the intersection of sound, visual art, and storytelling.

Smith's orchestration credits through Joy Music House include Netflix's Look Both Ways, Disney's Rosaline, and HBO's Edge of the Earth. She was also featured in Glamour South Africa's 2023 "Disruptors" issue, recognizing her creative journey and artistic contributions.

She holds a Bachelor's degree in Concert Composition from the University of Cape Town and a Master's degree in Film Scoring from New York University. Across her work, Smith continues to explore the expressive possibilities of music, creating worlds in which classical tradition, cinematic imagination, and deeply personal storytelling converge.