Originally from Chicago, IL, Stephen Hall is a marimba player, percussionist, composer, audio mastering engineer, and advocate for equity in music and society at large. They are co-founder of Spectrum Ensemble, a percussion duo focused on promoting LGBTQ+ representation and visibility in music, championing works of Queer composers, building community among Queer artists, fundraising, and other social justice work.
Stephen's works and arrangements have been featured on concerts at Northwestern University and San Francisco Conservatory, Southern California Marimba, the ChamberQUEER Festival, the Church of the Friendly Ghost New Music festival, Modern Marimba, the Oh My Ears New Music Festival, the Lift Music Fund, and the Kontrapunktus Chamber Orchestra. During their undergraduate studies at Northwestern University, Stephen studied primarily with She-e Wu, an internationally recognized soloist. Stephen went on to receive their masters degree at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, studying with Jack van Geem, former long-standing principal percussionist of the San Francisco Symphony. During this time, they had the pleasure to work with the San Francisco Contemporary Music Players and Steve Schick, and performed in the opening concert of the San Francisco Symphony’s acclaimed Sound Box venue. Stephen has participated in music competitions around the world, receiving first prizes in the Percussive Arts Society International Marimba Competition and the Drum Corps International Individual and Ensemble Competition. In addition to their work with Spectrum Ensemble, Stephen is also an active advocate for antiracism and equity in general. They have been part of the Percussive Arts Society's panel discussion on diversity and equity in new/experimental percussion music, and was on a panel for the San Francisco Center for New Music on Queer and Trans voices. They were also a presenter for Inspire Choir for Unity's recent webinar on creating affirming spaces in music for LGBTQ+ musicians. Stephen is a member of New Music Equity Action, a group of musicians, composers, administrators, and artists in the New Music scene who are coming together to collectively take action to dismantle white supremacy in music. Stephen currently resides in Altadena, CA, and performs and teaches throughout Southern California. |