About
Steven is nationally sought after as a clinician, adjudicator and trumpet artist. Joining the music faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Superior in the Fall of 2021, he serves as Assistant Professor of Music as the Director of Bands and Trumpet. In addition to directing the Symphonic Band and Chamber Winds and teaching applied trumpet lessons, he teaches several music education courses and supervises student teachers. Prior to this appointment, he held a similar position at Western Colorado University as the Director of Bands and Brass. In addition, Steven served as the director of the Colorado Brass Band which was founded by John Kincaid in 1974. He has previously held adjunct positions or teaching assistantships at Centre College, Campbellsville University, the University of Kentucky, and West Texas A&M University.
Steven enjoys a busy performing schedule in both classical and commercial settings. He has performed in numerous ensembles including the award-winning Lexington Brass Band, Grand Junction Symphony Orchestra, Amarillo Symphony Orchestra, Lexington Chamber Orchestra, DiMartino/Osland Jazz Orchestra, Bluegrass Area Jazz Ambassadors, Duluth Transit Authority, Heritage Theatre Festival, the Alliance Theatre, and numerous community and collegiate ensembles. As a soloist, he has performed with various ensembles including the Colorado Brass Band, Lexington Brass Band, and Lake City Stinger Band. In February 2018, he was a featured soloist at the Colorado Music Educator’s Association conference performing A Mis Abuelos with the Western State Colorado University Jazz Band. As an active member of the International Trumpet Guild, he had the honor of performing as a soloist in the 2021, 2019, and 2017 ITG Conference New Works Recitals, giving the premieres of five new works: Between Islands by Charles Griffin, Poem at Cantwell Cliffs by Nicole Piunno, Trumpet Calls by Zae Munn, Ascent by Jason Dovel, and A Stroll Through Kalavryta by Jason Dovel. He currently serves as a Recordings Reviewer for the quarterly ITG Journal.
Prior to teaching at the collegiate level, Steven was a high school band director for three years in Henry County, VA. During this time, he directed the concert band, jazz band, marching band, and percussion ensemble, and taught a music theory course. Under his direction, his ensembles won first-prize awards at numerous competitions.
Steven is thankful for the wonderful teachers who have helped him along his musical career. His primary trumpet teachers include Jason Dovel, Bill Takacs, Jim Kluesner, and Dave Detwiler, and he has studied additionally with Vince DiMartino and Rex Richardson. His conducting teachers include Stephen Bolstad and Don Lefevre. He holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in trumpet performance from the University of Kentucky, a Master of Music in trumpet performance from West Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Music in music education from James Madison University.
Education
- Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) – Trumpet Performance, University of Kentucky
- Master of Music (M.M.) – Trumpet Performance, West Texas A&M University
- Bachelor of Music (B.M.) – Music Education, James Madison University