BIOGRAPHY

I wanted to be Billy Joel.

I admired his piano skills and singing ability almost as much as I admired the songs he wrote. Even though I began my musical path as a pianist - playing the music of Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, Schumann, Mozart, Brahms - I felt a strong affinity for the human voice, identifying and focusing on that sound when listening to pop and rock, jazz and blues. I sang in church and school choirs, had roles in the musicals, and was in a rock band (​PARAGON!​) all through high school, singing and playing the saxophone and piano. We even went into the studio and recorded original music, some of which I composed. I just loved good music, no matter the genre.

It was when I began my undergrad years as a piano major that I quickly discovered I didn’t have the personality to practice alone for 8 hours a day. I started collaborating with other musicians of all kinds as an accompanist...Which led me into the incredible world of opera, oratorio and art song...Which led me to my first voice teacher, Norman Gulbrandsen...Who became my mentor, and convinced me to pursue singing as a vocation. So what did I do? I graduated with a degree in theory and composition, having switched from piano my junior year. I still had the yearning to be Billy Joel, but the compositions didn’t come so easily. I dabbled and searched within the entire music universe, still trying to find the place where I truly belonged. After four years of gigging and struggle I finally decided to follow my mentor’s advice, and at the age of 25 went back to school.

Two advanced degrees and a young artist program later, I found myself at New York City Opera beginning a career as an opera singer. There I met (and sang with) my wife, soprano Barbara Shirvis, with whom I have 2 grown sons, now pursuing their own careers as jazz musicians and singers in their own right. I’ve been fortunate to sing in many beautiful places with spectacular musicians, performing some of the greatest music ever written, to appreciative audiences who still long for live performances of the great masters (both old AND new) of western music.

I’m a little older now, but I still have more to say and do. I plan on singing as long as I’m physically able, or until people gently request that I cease and desist, whichever comes first. I’m grateful to have a life in music, and a musical life. There is no more powerful drug in the world, no higher high, than existing amidst the swirl and vibrations of the sound of music. We all need it, especially now.

I hope to see you again onstage very soon.
Peace, Love, and Joy.

STP