Educator and performer Stephen Lyons is excited to perform as a soloist with the Chelsea Symphony, presenting a new work of his friend and colleague MIchael J. Miller. Based in Connecticut, he serves the city of Waterbury, CT as a band director at West Side Middle School and the city of Norwalk, CT as the music supervisor for the perennially impressive Norwalk High School Marching Band. His passion for playing small brass instruments of all shapes was sparked by his high school involvement in marching band and drum corps, eventually branching out to interest in orchestral, chamber, and jazz. He has performed recently with the Eastern Connecticut Symphony Orchestra, the Chelsea Symphony, the Wallingford Symphony, the West Hartford Symphony, and the Charter Oak Brass Band.

Steve holds a BA in music, an MM in trumpet performance, and an Artist’s Diploma in chamber music from the University of Connecticut. While in his graduate studies at UCONN, Steve competed as a semifinalist in both solo and ensemble divisions of the 2010 International Trumpet Competition, semifinalist at the 8th Concours de musique de chamber de Lyon, and prize winners at the 2013 Plowman Chamber Music Competition as a member of the Nautilus Brass Quintet.

On the side, Steve designs drill for marching bands, hikes, looks at birds, wonders about birds, and ponders worldwide historical events that have shaped our society today. He lives in Milford, CT with his beautiful wife, two handsome cats, and an overwhelming assortment of chile pepper plants.