Harold Smoliar was born in Philadelphia and lived the first twenty years of his life there, studying the piano from age six and the oboe from age twelve. He attended the Curtis Institute of Music where he received his Bachelor of Music degree in 1978. From there, he went to Rio de Janeiro to play Principal Oboe in the Symphony Orchestra of Brazil for one season before joining the Pittsburgh Symphony as English hornist in September 1979. He is co-founder of the Pittsburgh Chamber Music Project as well as White Tie Group. He lives with his wife Ginnie, Production Art Coordinator for PPG Industries. His twin daughters Laurel and Rachel are working in video and film post-production (Laurel) and The Florida Orchestra 1st violin section (Rachel).

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