biography
Steph Davis (they/them/their) is a marimbist, arranger, composer, educator, cultural activist, and researcher. Their work engages people, traditions, and technologies of the African diaspora as means for uncovering truthful historiographies, finding creative self-actualization, and reaching for collective liberation.
Described as a "captivating" performer who brings "bright humanity and expressive depth" to contemporary music (Washington Post), Steph enjoys a musical life as a marimba soloist and chamber musician, performing in venues across the United States. Their repertoire spans a wide variety of musical styles — including traditional Ghanaian and African American musics, and Western - classical, romantic, 20th century, contemporary music primarily by composers of African descent. A versatile and passionate collaborator, they have performed chamber music with noted artists and ensembles; including grammy-nominated flutist Nathalie Joachim, Yasmin Williams, PaviElle French, Mazz Swift, Michi Wiancko, Castle of Our Skins, and New Gallery Concert Series. As an arranger, commissioner, and composer, Steph has contributed over 20 works by Black composers to the marimba's solo and chamber repertoire. They have premiered works by Avik Chari, Christa Duggan, Damien Geter, Alissa Voth, Pamela Z, and Bilin Zheng. Steph is a Marimba One Artist.
As a composer, Steph's music draws inspiration from Black expressive characteristics, free forms, and natural landscapes. Their music has been performed internationally in the United States, the United Arab Emirates, Canada, and Europe. They have been commissioned by New Works Project, Douglas Anderson School of the Arts, Modern Marimba, Spectrum Ensemble, Prism Percussion, Britton-René Collins, Michael Ptacin, and Cameron Denby.
A passionate researcher on music of the African diaspora, Steph is a teaching artist with Castle of our Skins, a Black arts institution. As part of this role, they led a teaching residency at Boston Children's Chorus around spirituals and Harriet Tubman. They co-authored a K-12 Curriculum for Anthony Davis' opera, X: The Life and Times of Malcolm X, as well as authoring program notes for Boston Conservatory at Berklee 2023 Faculty Chamber Music Concert. Steph maintains a small private marimba studio and coaches chamber ensembles in Greater Boston.
Steph was awarded an ACTivate residency at Boston Center for the Arts, was a semifinalist in the Southern California Marimba International Artist Competition, and a finalist in the Boston Conservatory Concerto Competition. They have been awarded artist fellowships with the Antenna Cloud Farm Experimental Institute, a liberatory arts institution, and Music for Food, a music organization fighting food insecurity in various communities across the United States. Steph serves on the board of directors of Castle of our Skins and Modern Marimba.
Steph received their M.M. in marimba performance from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. They also hold B.M. in percussion performance from the Conservatory. Other areas of study include music composition, African and African American music/history, Africana philosophy, and Western classical music theory. Their primary teachers include Nancy Zeltsman (marimba) and Sam Solomon (percussion).
Steph resides on land of the Massachusett people, also known as Boston, MA.
Short Bio (150 words)
Steph Davis is a marimbist, composer, educator, cultural activist, and researcher.
Steph enjoys a musical life as a marimba soloist and chamber musician. Their repertoire spans a wide variety of musical styles, from African American folk to Western contemporary classical music, with a focus on composers of African descent. They have premiered works by Pamela Z, Damien Geter, and Alissa Voth, among others. Equally versed in chamber music, Steph has performed with noted artists, including Grammy-nominated flutist Nathalie Joachim, Mazz Swift, PaviElle French, and Michi Wiancko. Steph is a Marimba One Artist.
Steph was awarded an ACTivate residency at Boston Center for the Arts and was a finalist in the Boston Conservatory concerto competition. They have been awarded artist fellowships with the Antenna Cloud Farm Experimental Institute and Music for Food.
Steph received their M.M. and B.M from Boston Conservatory at Berklee. Their primary teachers include Nancy Zeltsman (marimba) and Sam Solomon (percussion).
