Stephen Smith

Stephen graduated from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2004 with a Bachelor of Music in performance on Classical Trombone. In 2008 Stephen accepted a position at the Macquarie Conservatorium in Dubbo. Stephen’s interest in conducting began when he was approached by the local town band in Dubbo to become their musical director. Under his leadership, they transformed from a struggling brass band to a thriving concert band, winning their category in the NSW State Band championships in 2014. He also oversaw the development of multiple band programs through his role at the Macquarie Conservatorium.

In 2015 Stephen returned to Sydney to undertake his Masters of Music Studies majoring in wind ensemble conducting at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, and became the first person to graduate from an Australian tertiary institution with a postgraduate degree specialising in conducting wind ensembles. He was awarded the prestigious Alan Bellhouse award for conducting. Through his studies, Stephen has conducted the Sydney Conservatorium Wind Symphony, the Sydney University Wind Orchestra and the Sydney Conservatorium Brass Ensemble.

Stephen also conducts the Symphonic Wind Ensemble at Moriah College and works as a guest clinician for ensembles including the University of New South Wales Wind Symphony and Sydney Wind Symphony. Stephen is also completing a Masters of Teaching majoring in Secondary Music Education at UNSW.