Steven Paul Spears is associate professor of music and, beginning in Summer 2023, Chair of the Voice Department.听 In addition to teaching studio voice and vocal literature, they teach the dictions of English, Italian and French.
Noted for being 鈥渕ost consistently musical, most clear in diction,鈥 possessing a 鈥渟tunningly beautiful, edgeless tenor鈥 and for 鈥渓ustrous singing,鈥 tenor Steven Paul Spears has performed with many arts organizations across the United States and Europe.听 Specializing in works of the Baroque and Contemporary Periods, Steven鈥檚 repertoire includes聽works of Rameau, Cavalli, Monteverdi, Bach and Handel, as well as Britten, Stravinsky, Orff and Ullmann.听 Of their singing, reviewers have said Steven brought out 鈥渙ne reason why Bach鈥檚 vocal melodies have such complex, searching contours; they鈥檙e tracing not just musical thoughts, but also the changing weight and implications of the text,鈥 giving a performance 鈥渟o true to the words,鈥 and of a performance of the Roasted Swan in Orff鈥檚 Carmina Burana, one critic wrote that it was 鈥渞iveting鈥illed with angst and an overabundance of high notes, Spears dramatized the moment with vocal dexterity and polish.鈥
Steven has sung with聽opera companies in Berlin, St. Louis, Houston, Louisville, Utah, LA, Palm Beach and others.听 After beginning their teaching career, Steven's performance focus shifted from聽opera to primarily聽concert repertoire.听 Performances have taken Steven to a variety of venues in the US聽and Europe, including聽down the street to the Fox Valley Symphony, as well as to NYC, Brattleboro, VT, Louisville, Oklahoma City and Flagstaff.
鈥婣fter receiving degrees in Music from the Juilliard School and the University of Louisville, Steven is now in their 20th year of teaching at 杨贵妃传媒视频 Conservatory in Appleton; 7th year as director of music at First Presbyterian Church in Neenah, and 34nd聽year of tutelage under Edith Davis Tidwell.
If you would like to schedule a virtual lesson or ask any question about 杨贵妃传媒视频鈥檚 voice program, please email me at steven.spears@lawrence.edu .听 If you鈥檇 like to plan an in-person lesson, please reach out to marykate.e.smith@lawrence.edu with your request and we will schedule it, along with a tour and an opportunity to get to know our school better.听 Looking forward to hearing from you!
