Steven grew up in San Clemente, California, where he was privileged to begin studying classical piano at the young age of five. He had a very varied musical upbringing, playing in wind ensembles and orchestras on clarinet throughout his childhood, he also began singing in high school. He discovered jazz in his middle school jazz band and it has been his main passion since. He started his first gigging band in high school, performing at local events.
He is currently a student at California Institute of the Arts, where he studies with David Roitstein. Other faculty members he has had the privilege of playing with and receiving instruction from include Joe LaBarbera, Larry Koonse, and Charlie Haden. As a jazz pianist, Steven has performed at venues such as the Jazz Bakery of Culver City, Steamers Jazz Club in Fullerton, and the Monterey Jazz Festival (with the CSU Long Beach big band). He was also featured as part of a small band on KKJZ (88.1 FM) as part of their young artist series "The Ones to Watch" in 2007.
Steven is also an experienced singer, having sung in classical and small jazz ensembles. He has performed as a singer at the Los Angeles Bach Festival, ACDA Western and National Conferences, the 2008 IAJE convetion in Toronto, and many student performances throughout his undergraduate studies.
As a composer and arranger, Steven has written many arrangements for small ensembles that have been performed by his working bands throughout the years, including a performance on KKJZ. He also has written and performed full big band charts as well as choral and vocal jazz arrangements.
Apart from playing in a standard jazz setting, Steven has worked as an accompanist in many diverse areas. He as accompanied musical theater productions such as "West Side Story" and "Once Upon a Mattress." He has accompanied classical choirs and vocal jazz groups at both the collegiate and high school levels. He also has extensive experience collaborating with solo singers, both classical and jazz.