Stefan: Composer & Violist

WE ARE EXCITED TO INTRODUCE... Our eight talented artists for the 2024-26 Universal Composers Initiative! So please join us in welcoming Sara Barone, Cameron Moody, Joy Ngiaw, Nicoletta Nomicou, Murat Selcuk, Stefan Smith, Shirley Song & Eunike Tanzil. #Composers #UniversalPictures #FocusFeatures #DreamWorks

Quadraphonic sound for the US Government. ⁠….⚡️ I’ve been commissioned by the National Gallery of Art in DC (@ngadc ) to compose a 12-minute original soundtrack in quadraphonic surround sound for their upcoming summer exhibit called “Nocturnes”. Instead of a single ambient soundtrack, I thought it would be more fun to score each photograph like a scene in a film, then rotate the sound-stage to guide the visitor’s attention. Produced through @r37.experience , my vehicle for original experiential sound. With @violanation @johncschroeder @teenageengineering ⁠ One sound I’m still hunting: the hum of a transformer on top of a power line pole in LA. DM me if there’s one you know of! Special thanks to @TeenageEngineering And let’s work on music installations.

Full circle moment: returning to one of the orchestras that helped start my journey! This week I’ll be returning to Joliet, IL to conduct the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra for a film scoring workshop and concert: “From MYSO to Hollywood and Back” We’ll be recreating a Hollywood style recording session while also performing a concert featuring musical highlights from Pirates of the Caribbean, Wicked, Gladiator, Spider-Man, How to Train Your Dragon, Titanic, and more. MYSO was a formative part of my musical journey growing up, so it’s incredibly special to come back and share what I’ve learned working on the scoring stages in LA. Looking forward to making music with the next generation of musicians and if you’re in the area, stop by and enjoy the show! Visit my link-tree for more info! 😊🎬🎻❤️ 📸 credit: @mysomusic #FilmScoring #FilmMusic #Orchestra #Conducting #fullcircle

Performing“Mary, Did You Know?” with @iamjhud was such a thrilling experience! Check out her Grammy nominated holiday album “The Gift Of Love” 😍 The ensemble: @imcharlesjones (piano) Charlie Bisharat (violin) Mark Cargill (violin & arranger) @violanation (viola) Peggy Baldwin (cello) Gayle Levant (harp) Many thanks to JoAnn T. for putting this group together for the @jenniferhudsonshow ! Feeling grateful this season and Happy Holidays everyone! 🎻🎄 #jhud #christmas #happyholidays #strings

John 19:41 - @jesuschristsuperstar (Highlight) @hollywoodbowl 2025 Music by @andrewlloydwebber Some moments on stage stay with you long after the last note fades. Performing John 19:41 with my orchestra colleagues was one of those moments. There was nothing to do but play from the heart 🎻❤️❤️❤️ Music Director: @steoremus Music Contractor: @encompassmusic (Peter Rotter) Producers: @neilmeron @bobgreenblattpics Director & Choreographer: @sergiotrujillo1 Associate Director: @marctumminelli Concertmaster: @luannehomzy 🎥: Thank you @ameliavmusic for capturing this so beautifully. #jesuschristsuperstar #hollywoodbowl #broadway #orchestra

Still buzzing from our performances this past weekend at the @hollywoodbowl 🎻🎶 Being able to perform with @cynthiaerivo , @adamlambert , and the powerhouse cast of @jesuschristsuperstar was nothing short of amazing 🔥 All three nights felt like a historic moment in musical theatre history. The energy, artistry, and heart that every singer and musician brought to the stage was truly unforgettable! Many Thanks and Congrats to: Our Brilliant MD: @steoremus Music Contractor: Peter Rotter & @encompassmusic Composer: @andrewlloydwebber Lyricist: @tim_rice_words Producers: @neilmeron & @bobgreenblattpics Director & Choreographer: @sergiotrujillo1 Concertmaster: @luannehomzy And cheers to every one of my incredible colleagues in the orchestra, cast and crew! We left it all on the stage! 🎤 ⬇️ Swipe for some of my favorite musical moments and behind-the-scenes photos you won’t want to miss! 📷 🎥 credits: @mattkc1 @ameliavmusic @adamlambert DanSaunders-kr7xh & Jondpyle on YouTube, eden.artist (TikTok) #jesuschristsuperstar #hollywoodbowl #cynthiaerivo #adamlambert #broadway #orchestra #strings #viola #broadway #theatre #musical #musicals #musicaltheatre #theatrekid #theater #falsettos #jcshollywoodbowl #jcs #andrewlloydwebber #alw #timrice #losangeles #pitorchestra

“Through the Looking Glass” is a deeply personal reflection on resilience, transformation, and rediscovery, tracing a violinist’s journey through triumph, loss, and reinvention. In an evening of music and storytelling, it invites the audience into a space of healing, honesty, and shared humanity. I will presenting premieres from Jeff Russo, Amélia, Stefan L. Smith, Chris Woods, Pirayeh Pourafar as well as a tribute to Sofia Guibaidulina. This concert will also feature musicians Shalini Vijayan, Timothy Loo, Luke Maurer, Sara Andon, Jamie Strowhiro, Aron Kallay, Stefan Smith, and Eric Shetzen. DM for a special friends discount:) /event/alyssa_park_through_the_looking_glass/

✨ World Premiere Announcement! ✨ I’m beyond excited to announce that on May 4th, 2025, the world will hear the premiere performance of my musical setting of Tracy K. Smith’s “An Old Story”—a powerful fusion of poetry and music brought to life for the very first time! This work, commissioned by the Michael Steinberg and Jorja Fleezanis Fund, is scored for narrator, clarinet, piano, and string quintet and explores the journey from turmoil to renewal, echoing the profound themes of Tracy’s poetry. Tracy K. Smith, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet and former U.S. Poet Laureate, is renowned for her deep explorations of history, memory, and human resilience. “An Old Story” reflects on a world marred by greed and division, yet envisions a future where unity and healing are attainable—a message that resonates deeply in our times. I’m incredibly grateful to the Michael Steinberg and Jorja Fleezanis Fund for their generous support in bringing this composition to life! If you’re in the Minneapolis area, I cordially invite you to join us for this special evening of music and poetry performed by some of Minnesota’s finest musicians! For more details on the premiere performance, tickets, and other upcoming projects, check my linktree in my bio! 📍 Westminster Presbyterian Church (Minneapolis, MN) 📅 May 4, 2025 @ 3PM CST 🎟️ [CHECK LINKTREE FOR MORE INFO] #ClassicalMusic #ChamberMusic #WorldPremiere #NewMusic #LivePerformance #composer #poetry

I’m incredibly honored to be nominated for the 2025 ASCAP Board of Directors. In the 20+ years I’ve been in the music industry, I can truly say that ASCAP has been a wonderful organization and advocate for me. As a composer, session musician, and a member of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, I know firsthand the challenges we face as music creators and the importance of protecting our work as writers. With the rise of AI, I’m committed to amplifying your voices while also driving innovation to ensure every creator gets the recognition and protections they deserve. I would be honored to receive your vote so that I can help us make a difference for the better. Let’s build a stronger future for all of us—together! If you share my sentiment and are also a member of ASCAP, visit my bio link and #VoteForStefan ✅ #ASCAP #ASCAPAwards #Music #Musician #Composer #Songwriter #FilmComposer #SessionMusician #composers #NewMusic #MusicIndustry #MusicCommunity #MusicLover #LiveMusic #InstaMusic #MusicLife #SupportCreativity #MusicAdvocate #AIInMusic #MusicCreators #MusicRights #MusicProfessionals #MusicCommunity #MusicInnovation #MusicLeadership #MusicAdvocacy #MusicIndustryNews #MusicBiz #musicnetworking

Performing at the Grammy Premiere Ceremony this past week was nothing short of incredible! I had the joy of playing in @chechealara ’s All-Star Band and alongside my amazing colleagues (@singasongalee , @leggett.natalie , and @giocellomusic ) in the Grammy Premiere String Quartet 🎻🎶 This marks my third year performing at the Grammy Premiere Ceremony, and every time, I’m blown away by the sheer talent that graces the stage. From music legends to rising stars, every performance and story shared continues to inspire me as both a composer & violist. Beyond the music, something truly special happened—our music community came together to raise over $9 million for fire relief in Los Angeles this past Sunday. Knowing that so many of my colleagues were directly affected by the fires, this collective effort means everything! Music is more than just sound—it’s about connection, resilience, and support. 💙 A massive congrats to all of the winners, nominees, and my fellow @recordingacademy members! And of course, a huge thank you to: Cheche Alara & @zimmittimusicgroup for putting together such an incredible group of musicians, and to @jennie_cote & @stellarbc and the entire premiere crew for your tireless work behind the scenes. 🙌🔥 Drop a 🎻 if you love live music, and let’s celebrate the power of music together! What was your favorite Grammy moment this year?👇🎶 #grammys #grammy #viola #grammyawards #Grammys2025 #RecordingAcademy #FilmComposer #ViolistLife #LiveMusicLover #MusicCommunity #GrammyPremiere #StringQuartet #SessionMusician #ConcertComposer #MusicianLife #MusicIndustry #BehindTheScenes #MusicLegends #StudioMusician #LAArtists #OrchestralMusic #SupportTheArts #GrammyWinners #ClassicalCrossover #musiccares #firerelief #composers #strings

This winter has been nothing short of amazing! From scoring music for a studio film, recording sessions and leading the viola section for Danny Elfman’s winter tour, it’s been a holiday season filled with unforgettable experiences! I also had the honor of performing in the orchestra for Andrea Bocelli’s 30th Anniversary concert tour and Seth MacFarlane’s annual holiday party. To get further into the Christmas spirit, I curated and performed on the Metropolis Chamber Musicians’ Christmas chamber series and also led the viola section of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra for our Home Alone live-to-picture concert at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Grateful for these incredible moments and memories made with loved ones and friends, and many thanks to @zimmittimusicgroup , @encompassmusic , and @laphil for the unforgettable performance opportunities! Cheers to 2025 and the exciting projects ahead and can’t wait to share more when I can! Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at a few of my favorite moments! 🎻✨ #DannyElfman #AndreaBocelli #SethMacFarlane #Viola #UniversalPictures #MetropolisChamberMusicians #FilmScoring #ViolaLife #Winter2024 #Composers #Composer #Strings #ClassicalMusic #HollywoodBowlOrchestra #HomeAloneConcert

The Chicago premiere of my string quintet, “Quintet in the Key of Blue”, will take place tomorrow (March 27th) at the @harristheaterchicago at 7:30PM CST by the Dubhe Ensemble! Led by renowned bassist Joseph Conyers (@weatherclef The Philadelphia Orchestra, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center), the Dubhe Ensemble makes its Chicago debut with an exceptional roster including violinist @sparkstar9 , violinist @rubenrengelviolin , violist @mikecasimirviola , and cellist @yumikendall — all celebrated musicians whose work extends beyond the stage and into the communities where they perform through advocacy and education. For 🎟️ and more info, visit my bio link! #chicago #strings #quintet #newmusic #premiere #classical #composer #violin #viola #cello #bass #musicianlife #classicalmusicdaily #classicalcomposer #classicalmusicians #milleniumpark #composers #chambermusic #downtownchicago #composition #classicalmusiclover #blackcomposers #blackmusicians #composerlife #classicalmusic #orchestralife #musiccomposer #filmcomposer #classicalmusician #composersofinstagram