Steven Sérpa
*4 November 1976
Works by Steven Sérpa
Biography
Steven Sérpa is an award-winning whose works have been performed by the Austin Symphony, Tucson Symphony, the Glimmerglass Opera Orchestra, as well as being part of the American Composers Orchestra EarShot emerging composer program. His one act-opera Thyrsis & Amaranth has had over a dozen production and was praised by critics as a "truly beautiful… magnificent little story jammed full of thought and feeling and meaning" with “gorgeous music and wrenching lyrics.” Recent premieres include the opera "these wings are meant to fly" responding to the Pulse nightclub shooting with Thompson Street Opera and the oratorio "james (book of ruth)" tackling HIV stigma with Inversion Ensemble. Steven studied with composers Tom Cipullo, Dan Welcher, and Yevgeniy Sharlat, and recently earned his doctorate from the University of Texas, Austin. He makes his home in Austin and works as co-director of Fast Forward Austin, producing inventive, forward-looking music experiences for local audiences.
About the music
I compose music that is an eclectic mixture of what I love to listen to and the music I love to perform. This is a wide range of influences from thorny contemporary compositions to obscure early music; Romantic masterworks to bubble-gum pop music. Overall, my music is melodic and lyrical, with the support of extended, modal harmony.