Stephen Steele is a homegrown Texan, raised up near the Red River where he first began taking classical lessons at a young age. Growing up he enjoyed traveling for different festivals, workshops and competitions related to the piano, one of which he met the late pianist John Shelton at, who later trained him as well. Steve continued his creative pursuits in an adjacent field, graduating from Texas State University in 2018 with a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Theatre with an emphasis in dramatic writing and direction. His performance and production focused track allowed him to explore different methods of acting, improvisation and vocal training, which he incorporated into his musical endeavors any chance he could. Plays, musicals, elaborately choreographed dance fights – you name it, he probably helped to score one! Post graduation, Stephen moved to Dallas where he worked behind the scenes for productions with Flexible-Grey Theatre Company, and began teaching piano through Guitar Center in Spring 2020. Stephen brings a great attitude to the piano bench, and he enjoys being able to cultivate a comfortable environment in which students feel permission to be inquisitive and unafraid to make creative choices. Outside of music, Stephen’s hobbies tend to stay outside. He enjoys gardening, listening to the radio, and walking, sometimes bringing along two very reluctant cats. His unique combination of training and experience compounds with nearly twenty years of study with the piano to provide a wide-ranging palette to students who are interested in the many practical, creative, and rewarding real-world applications of learning to play the piano.