STEPHEN GRINDEL    MUSIC EDUCATOR, TRUMPETER, IMPROVISER

Stephen Grindel (he/him) is currently a PhD student in Music Education at the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. His research interests include creativity, improvisation, jazz pedagogy, arts advocacy, and educational leadership. Before beginning his doctoral studies, Stephen was a full-time public school band & orchestra director, most recently as Director of Instrumental Music at Milwaukie High School and Milwaukie Academy of the Arts in Milwaukie, OR. Before that, he was the Jazz Director at the award-winning Osceola County School for the Arts (OCSA) in Kissimmee, Florida. He lives in Seattle with his wife, Melissa, dog Tico, and cat Roscoe. They enjoy outdoor recreation (especially cycling, hiking, and skiing), trying new restaurants, and watching horror movies. 

 

As a music educator, Stephen specializes in teaching musical improvisation, various styles in the jazz idiom, and wind bands. He was active in his local teacher union and served as a building representative for two years. Stephen was nominated for Oregon Teacher of the Year for two consecutive years. He believes strongly in accessible music and arts education in schools. He is an active member of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), Oregon Music Education Association (OMEA), Oregon Band Directors Association (OBDA), and Washington Music Education Association (WMEA). 

 

As a professional musician, Stephen has experience playing trumpet in jazz big bands, combos, pop/rock/funk/soul horn sections, directing and playing in pit orchestras, and free improvisation.

 

Stephen received his Master of Music (Jazz Studies) and was a Graduate Employee (formerly Graduate Teaching Fellow) from the University of Oregon, where he studied primarily with Brian McWhorter, Paul Krueger, Sarah Viens, and Steve Owen. He received his Bachelor of Music (Music Education & Jazz Studies) from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL where he studied primarily with Brad Mason, Victor Goines, Chris Madsen, and Maud Hickey. While at NU, he also studied abroad at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam, studying trumpet with Ruud Bruels and Jan Oosthof and improvisation lessons with Michael Moore (of Instant Composers Pool). 

 

In Eugene, Oregon, Stephen co-led a quartet, Semi-private Ego Union, which performed original compositions by band members and freely improvised. Their album, Eponym, is available on Bandcamp (see "Media" tab for more info). 

 

Stephen grew up in Richland, Washington, where he attended Hanford High School. He is very grateful for his parents, Mike and Lori, for continually supporting his goals in life and music