Advanced Workshops, Masterclasses and Performances Michael Stegner

Bio

Michael Stegner has been at home in many areas of the music world over his career. He grew up in Kentucky where both of his parents were music educators. From there he went to the University of Miami and received a jazz piano degree before branching out into touring, recording, writing, teaching, presenting workshops/clinics, producing, staring a music school and consulting.

Michael’s workshops and clinics stress the connections between the different aspect of the music world so that students and faculty can gain new insights into how they can find their place in the world by contributing to the music of their times. He enjoys staying active in all of these musical arenas and often helps students, performers and educators around the US identify trends in the music world to help grow their careers.

Production, Mixing and/or Performance Collaborations

The Jongleurs, Louis Cole (Knower), John Wicks (Fitz and the Tantrums), Michael Shrieve (Santana), Reggie Watts, Genevieve Artadi (Knower), Anna Freedman, Ariel Pocock, Wayne Horvitz, Robin Holcomb, Skerik, KJ Sawka, Randy Brecker, Ty Bailie (Katy Perry), Lee Oskar (War), M. Doughty (Soul Coughing), Keith Lowe (Fiona Apple), Jeff Fielder, Choklate, Patterson Hood (Drive By Truckers), David Hood (Muscle Shoals), Jen Wood, Aiko Shimada and many, many more.

Teaching Highlights

In 2003, founded the Creative Music Adventures music school in Seattle where students of all ages were asked to be able to perform traditional piano music as well as modern, jazz and improvised music.
In 2016, released the first four levels of his teaching method that was written and tested at Creative Music Adventures (and elsewhere) since 2007.
Since 2009, students have received over $1,000,000 in music scholarships to universities and conservatories.
Students have received eight Student Downbeat Awards in the middle school and high school categories of performance (piano and jazz voice), jazz composition, music engineering and original composition.
Former students have headlined mid-sized jazz festivals in the US and Canada with their own groups. They have performed in large jazz festivals in the US, Canada and Europe as leaders of their own groups.
Several students have performed at Lincoln Center in New York and been awarded Outstanding Soloists during the Essentially Ellington festival hosted by Wynton Marsalis.
Former students have toured as sidemen and women for arena tours and smaller venues for acts in many genres including rock, pop, hip-hop and jazz
Former students have been featured soloists or producers on singles by Macklemore and Travis Scott.
For over 10 years, taught between 30-40 private students a week at Creative Music Adventures.

Presented at the Following National Teacher Conferences

2007 – MTNA National and CFMTA Conference – Toronto, ON
2008 – MTNA National Conference – Denver, CO
2009 – MTNA National Conference – Atlanta, GA
2013 – MTNA National Conference – Anaheim, CA

Presented at the Following Local and State Teacher Meetings and Conferences

2002 – WSMTA State Conference in Tacoma, WA
2002 – Edmonds Chapter Meeting in Edmonds, WA
2003 – Snohomish Chapter Meeting in Snohomish, WA
2003 – Eastside Chapter Meeting in Bellevue, WA
2004 – WSMTA State Conference in Spokane, WA
2004 – District I, II, II Conference in Marysville, WA
2004 – Seattle Chapter Meeting in Seattle, WA
2005 – TMTA (Texas Music Teacher Association) State Conference in Texas
2008 – District V Conference in Wenatchee, WA
2008 – Edmonds Chapter Meeting in Edmonds, WA
2013 – Seattle Chapter Meeting in Seattle, WA
2015 – Seattle Chapter Meeting in Seattle, WA
2015 – Seattle Pacific University Lecture in Seattle, WA
2017 – WSMTA State Conference in Shoreline, WA

Workshop Topics

Careers in Music – There are so many options for music students entering the professional world today. This workshop takes examples from the music that surrounds us in all facets of life and demonstrates the various roles students can apply their talents towards when making a career for themselves.

Creative Pedagogy – Teaching can be one of the most creative outlets for musicians and artists. This workshop discusses methods to engage students in creative ways based on recent brain science research and years of testing with students of all ages and levels in Michael’s music school in Seattle.

Music Production for Music Students – The accessibility of music recording software and hardware has essentially created a new category of instrument. Classical to jazz to pop musicians have different ways they can interact with the technology to express their art and performances. This workshop talks about how to approach the gear from a musical perspective rather than a technical one. Therefore relating it back to what students are learning on their instruments.

Q & A – These sessions are usually led by a faculty member and are wide-ranging in topics based on the program and group of students attending.

Workshop Formats & Options

Workshops can be combined throughout the day. For example; a career presentation to all students in the program, a presentation to pedagogy/performance majors about the method and a rhythm section coaching session can happen all in the same day back-to-back followed by an evening performance.

60-minute session: A 50-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A.

75-minute session: A 60-minute presentation followed by a 15-minute Q&A.

Masterclasses: These are typically after one of the presentations above. Often there will be a presentation, a break of some sort and then a masterclass with students at various levels. Masterclasses can be standard format or based around helping students improvise and play more creatively with pieces they’ve prepared.

Rhythm Section or Small Ensemble Coaching: Intensive rhythm section and combo sessions focus on interaction between players, connecting time feels and grooves between members, stylistic approaches and performance techniques.

Performance: A 60- to 90-minute performance of original piano music and songs. Depending on the program, students often join and provide a rhythm section for the performance. If students perform, there will need to be a one-hour rehearsal at minimum.

Book and Method Presentation: A 60-minute session to pedagogy or piano performance students on my teaching method materials. These method and books are a little different than the other options out there. The most receptive group to this method are young teachers who come from a college pedagogy or performance department. This is usually between a 20- to 30-minute presentation with plenty of time left for students to ask questions.