Biography

Dr. Mark Stevens enjoys a dynamic career as a solo pianist, collaborative artist, teacher, and adjudicator. He serves as Director of Keyboard Studies and Assistant Professor of Piano for SDSU's School of Performing Arts. Dr. Stevens’ experience as a pianist ranges from traditional piano repertoire to contemporary music, including living composers. As an advocate for 20th and 21st century music, he performs a diverse range of repertoire, with a special affinity for American composers. As a recitalist, he designs thematic programs that seek to tell stories through playing that has been described as "full of energy, wit, and freshness." An active collaborative pianist, he routinely coaches and performs with vocalists, instrumentalists, and chamber ensembles.

An active and dedicated teacher for two decades, Dr. Stevens has repeatedly been awarded for the quality of his instruction. His students have won more than 20 prizes in competitions including the Seattle Young Artists Music Festival, the Washington State Music Teachers Association’s State Recitalist Competition, and the Northwest Bach, Viennese Classical, Romantic, and Contemporary Piano Festivals. He is regularly invited to adjudicate and teach throughout the United States for universities, music academies, and professional organizations including the MTNA, WSMTA, OMTA, WMEA and NFMC. His academic teaching experience includes piano performance, piano literature, piano pedagogy, music theory, aural skills, opera coaching, recreational class piano, and keyboard skills. His principal teachers include Dean Kramer, David Riley, Peter Mack, Paul Barnes, and Judith Schoepflin, and he has performed in masterclasses with renowned musicians including Jon Nakamatsu and the Chiara String Quartet.