Conductor, composer, and tenor Steven J. Knell is completing his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Choral Conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, where he is the assistant conductor of the University of Texas Chamber Singers and studies with James Morrow. At Texas, he teaches and assists undergraduate courses in choral literature and conducting, respectively, conducts the University of Texas Bach Cantata project, and is working on reconstructing a choral piece by Franz Liszt from manuscript for his DMA document. He most recently served as the Emerging Artist in Choral Directing at Pennsylvania State University-Altoona where he was the conductor of the auditioned chamber choir Ivyside Pride, afterward serving on faculty of the Harvard-Westlake School in Los Angeles. Mr. Knell received his Master of Music degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Georgia, where he studied conducting with Daniel Bara and John P. Lynch, and his Bachelor of Music degree in Vocal Performance from the University of Utah. At Georgia, Mr. Knell served as Assistant Conductor for the University of Georgia Collegium Musicum, Women's Glee Club, and University Chorus. A versatile choral and orchestral conductor, Steve has also conducted the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the University of Texas Bach Cantata Project, the Orchestra of Conductor's Retreat at Medomak, and the University of Georgia Chamber Orchestra. Mr. Knell, exercising his passionate advocacy for new music, has led premieres of new and rarely performed music, including choral works and instrumental works. Mr. Knell also has an extensive background in the education of young musicians, and has served as music director for numerous productions at the University of Utah's Youth Theatre as well as a music instructor and teacher during the organization's summer program. In his undergraduate work, he studied voice with Carol Ann Allred and Robert Breault and conducting with Michael Huff and Barlow Bradford. Other conducting instructors include Kenneth Kiesler and Neil Varon.
Mr. Knell is a seasoned composer of choral and vocal music. In spring of 2012, his piece for violoncello and soprano, Anthemoessa, was premiered across the United States in a touring recital, "Queering the Pitch: music for cello and soprano" by cellist Justin Dougherty and soprano Meredith Mecum. This piece is currently touring the US with the duo Juxtatonal with soprano Jocelyn Zeklasko and cellist Bryan Hayslett. Steven’s collaboration with Dr. Dougherty continued with a new piece for solo cello, Fantasia (Come Out, ye Saints), for the same recital series, premiered in the fall of 2013. Current projects include a solo voice setting of Pablo Neruda's "Alturas de Macchu Picchu" for Michelle Alexander, mezzo-soprano and recent winner of both the Regional Metropolitan Opera Competition and the Classical Singer Competition. Mr. Knell's choral catalog includes The Physics of Love, with text from four sonnets by contemporary poet Catherine Keokee, and a triumphant setting of the seventh century text Caedmon's Hymn for mixed chorus and organ.
Steven is passionate about diversity in music and academia, particularly championing the work and rights of queer students and artists, as well as those of women and people of color. In addition to his work conducting and composing, Steven, a tenor, performs art song, oratorio, and opera, and also enjoys philosophy, travel, hiking, wine, and fine dining.
Mr. Knell is a seasoned composer of choral and vocal music. In spring of 2012, his piece for violoncello and soprano, Anthemoessa, was premiered across the United States in a touring recital, "Queering the Pitch: music for cello and soprano" by cellist Justin Dougherty and soprano Meredith Mecum. This piece is currently touring the US with the duo Juxtatonal with soprano Jocelyn Zeklasko and cellist Bryan Hayslett. Steven’s collaboration with Dr. Dougherty continued with a new piece for solo cello, Fantasia (Come Out, ye Saints), for the same recital series, premiered in the fall of 2013. Current projects include a solo voice setting of Pablo Neruda's "Alturas de Macchu Picchu" for Michelle Alexander, mezzo-soprano and recent winner of both the Regional Metropolitan Opera Competition and the Classical Singer Competition. Mr. Knell's choral catalog includes The Physics of Love, with text from four sonnets by contemporary poet Catherine Keokee, and a triumphant setting of the seventh century text Caedmon's Hymn for mixed chorus and organ.
Steven is passionate about diversity in music and academia, particularly championing the work and rights of queer students and artists, as well as those of women and people of color. In addition to his work conducting and composing, Steven, a tenor, performs art song, oratorio, and opera, and also enjoys philosophy, travel, hiking, wine, and fine dining.