Michael Stephens
Published Works
Michael Stephens is a composer, saxophonist, and educator, whose works cover a broad stylistic range. His jazz background often finds its way into his chamber works, which often embrace dissonance and rhythmic complexity. Commissions include music for the Nebraska Music Teacher Association, the Duquesne Contemporary Ensemble, and Alia Musica Pittsburgh. His music has been performed by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Ion Sound Project, and by friends and colleagues including Amy Likar, Rick Puzzo, Jim Margetts, Jeff Price, Sandy Schaefer, and Bobby Pace.
Stephens earned his Bachelors in music education and his Masters in music composition at Kent State University and his Doctorate in music composition and theory at the University of Pittsburgh. His teachers included Eric Moe, Mathew Rosenblum, Thomas Janson, P.Q. Phan, Roger Zahab, and Frank Wiley. Michael is currently Professor of Music at Chadron State College and lives in the Nebraska Panhandle with his wife, Lauren, and his daughters, Alyssa and Chelsea.