Steven Needham is a tuba player and educator based in Washington, D.C. Steven is a passionate soloist and ensemble player while simultaneously maintaining one of the most successful high school studios in the country.
Steven has performed with many of the world's leading orchestras, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet Orchestra, New World Symphony, and New Mexico Philharmonic, among others. A committed chamber musician, Steven was formerly a member of the Magnolia City Brass Band and Gulf Coast Brass Quintet, he has performed extensively with the New Mexico Philharmonic Brass Quintet, Houston Symphony Brass Quintet, Enchantment Brass, Texas Brass, and the Richard Brown Brass Ensemble. During the summers Steven has held fellowship positions with the Napa Valley Music Festival, Atlantic Music Festival, Mostly Modern Music Festival, and Texas Music Festival.
Equally passionate about education and mentoring. Steven previously served as Adjunct Professor of Tuba/Euphonium at Texas Southern University and built one of the most competitive private low brass studios in the Houston area. Many of his students have achieved a high level of success, advancing in professional auditions, receiving fellowships at prestigious music festivals, earning scholarships to top music schools, and consistently placing in regional, state, national, and international competitions.
Steven has appeared regularly as a guest clinician, coach, and masterclass instructor, with his most recent appearance as a soloist and competition judge at the Mid-West Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference at Bowling Green State University. In the summer of 2023, Steven was an instructor and chamber coach at the Texas Low Brass Academy. He has also taught masterclasses at the University of New Mexico, Katy Independent School District, Cypress Independent School District, Klein Independent School District, and Pearland Independent School District amongst others.
Steven completed his undergraduate studies in Tuba Performance at the University of New Mexico. He received his Master of Music degree from the Peabody Conservatory, where he received the Yale Brody Memorial Scholarship and Richard Hart/Eugene Sheffers Scholarship. He continued his graduate studies at the Rice University Shepherd School of Music. His primary teachers include David Kirk, Mark Barton, David Fedderly, and Dr. Richard A. White.
Outside of music, Steven enjoys an active lifestyle that includes running, mountain biking, cooking, and spending time with his family and his two cats, Daphne and Chloe. A dedicated outdoorsman, he also enjoys camping, hiking, and fishing.