Steve Stusek is a renowned classical music artist who has made a significant contribution to the world of music through his exceptional skills as a saxophonist, composer, and educator. Born in 1961 in the United States, Stusek grew up in a family that valued music and encouraged him to pursue his passion for the saxophone. Stusek began playing the saxophone at the age of 10 and quickly developed a love for the instrument. He studied music at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in saxophone performance. He then went on to earn a Master of Music degree in saxophone performance from the University of Michigan. Throughout his career, Stusek has performed extensively as a soloist and chamber musician, both nationally and internationally. He has collaborated with numerous renowned musicians and ensembles, including the New York New Music Ensemble, the Cleveland Orchestra, and the North Carolina Symphony. He has also performed at prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, and the Kennedy Center. Stusek has received numerous awards and accolades for his exceptional musicianship. In 1990, he was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed him to study with renowned saxophonist Jean-Marie Londeix in France. He has also been a recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council Fellowship and the National Endowment for the Arts Solo Recitalist Grant. In addition to his career as a performer, Stusek is also an accomplished composer. He has written numerous works for saxophone, including solo pieces, chamber music, and concertos. His compositions have been performed by many renowned musicians and ensembles, including the Prism Quartet and the North Carolina Symphony. Stusek is also a dedicated educator and has taught at several universities throughout his career. He is currently a professor of saxophone at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where he has been on the faculty since 1990. He has also taught at the University of Michigan, the University of Akron, and the University of North Texas. Throughout his career, Stusek has been committed to promoting the saxophone as a serious instrument in the world of classical music. He has worked tirelessly to commission new works for the saxophone and to promote the instrument through his performances and recordings. One of Stusek's most notable performances was his 1995 performance of John Adams' Saxophone Concerto with the North Carolina Symphony. The performance was widely acclaimed and helped to establish the saxophone as a legitimate solo instrument in the world of classical music. Stusek has also recorded several albums throughout his career, including his 1998 album "Saxophone Music of Robert Muczynski," which was nominated for a Grammy Award. He has also recorded several albums with the Prism Quartet, including their 2006 album "Dedication," which features Stusek's composition "Dedication." In addition to his work as a performer, composer, and educator, Stusek is also a dedicated advocate for the arts. He has served on the board of directors for several arts organizations, including the North Carolina Symphony and the International Saxophone Symposium. In recognition of his exceptional contributions to the world of music, Stusek has received numerous awards and honors. In 2015, he was awarded the North Carolina Arts Council's Artist Fellowship in Music Composition.

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