Viola Smith (born November 29, 1912 is an American drummer best known for her work in orchestras, swing bands, and popular music in the 1930s and 1940s. She was one of the first professional female drummers.

In the 1920s and 1930s, Viola played in the Schmidt Sisters, a family orchestra that her father founded in Wisconsin.

According to her nephew, Dennis Bartash, playing with her sisters on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show in the 1930s was her big break.

In the late 1930s and early 1940s, Smith played in the Coquettes, an all-female orchestra, along with her sister, Mildred Bartash who played the clarinet and the saxophone.

Viola joined Phil Spitalny's Hour of Charm, a commercially-successful all-girl orchestra, in 1942.

She played with the Kit Kat Band, which was part of the original 1960's Broadway production of Cabaret.

Allegro Magazine Volume 113 Number 10 November 2013 featured Viola in an article A Century of Swing 'Never lose your groove!