About Steven

My career in music has taken many turns over the years; it has brought me to far-flung places and introduced me to many interesting people who have become lifelong friends. Based on these experiences, I have developed a holistic approach to teaching music that celebrates its interactive nature and fosters a sense of history, while addressing the individual needs and goals of each student.

Growing up in northern California, I began studying the saxophone at age ten. During high school I began to focus more on jazz improvisation, but also auditioned into all-state concert bands and performed with friends in a ska band. I also began studying flute and clarinet in high school, as these instruments are expected doubles in jazz ensembles and musicals. In college at CU Boulder I continued studying and performing both classical and jazz styles while also branching out into Afropop music and studying abroad in Ghana. After earning a music education degree, I taught middle school band for two years in Maryland, then returned to academia to earn a masters and PhD in ethnomusicology, completing a dissertation on music in Ghana. Throughout my years teaching and studying in graduate school I have stayed active musically by performing in jazz big bands and combos as well as musicals such as "Grease", "Sweeny Todd" and "Cabaret."

While I remain interested and engaged in music scholarship, I made the decision to prioritize performing and teaching saxophone, flute and clarinet here in Arvada. During the 2017-18 school year I was a woodwinds instructor at the Rocky Mountain Music Center in Lafayette. When not teaching and playing music with friends I enjoy spending time with my family, reading, and enjoying the outdoors in beautiful Colorado.