Biography

Steve Guerra is an Assistant Professor and Director of the Studio Jazz Writing Program at the Frost School of Music. Steve has previously held positions as the Director of the Henry Mancini Institute (HMI), a Lecturer in the department of Studio Music and Jazz, and served as the director of FROST MusicReach and launched many of the programs that continue today. He is the director of the award-winning FROST Studio Jazz Band and teaches classes in jazz conducting and repertoire, composition, arranging, and saxophone.

Under Dr. Guerra’s leadership, the Henry Mancini Institute has appeared in numerous PBS specials, major-label record releases, and high profile live events throughout the United States including a recent performance with John Williams, Kristen Chenoweth, and Matthew Morrison in Beverly Hills, California. Dr. Guerra, in collaboration with Dean Shelly Berg and Resident Conductor and Artistic Coordinator Scott Flavin, strives to create innovative learning and performance opportunities for HMI.

In high demand as a composer and arranger, Dr. Guerra has been commissioned to write music for Dave Koz, Ben Folds, Carmen Bradford, the National Symphony Orchestra, the Greater Manchester Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, and the Air Force Band of the West. In December 2016, he traveled to Japan as the assistant orchestrator for Japanese music sensation Yoshiki’s Classical Tour. He has served as a composer‐in‐residence throughout the U.S., thanks to the Commission Project and the National Endowment for the Arts. Dr. Guerra has also performed alongside many jazz greats, including Phil Woods, Al Grey, Snooky Young, Marshall Royal, Louis Bellson, and Jeff “Tain” Watts. He was a featured soloist on the Clark Terry Young Titan’s of Jazz 2003 release Live at Marihan’s and the Louie Bellson Big Band release, Louie and Clark Expedition 2. In addition to the Stephen Guerra Big Band critically acclaimed first album Namesake in 2009, he also contributed to the New Hampshire Jazz Orchestra’s 2015 release Swingin’ for the Holidays.

Before pursuing his DMA and eventually joining the faculty at the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC, Dr. Guerra was a high school band director in Concord and Pelham, New Hampshire and an instructor at St. Anselm’s College in Manchester, NH. Before leaving New Hampshire for Florida he created jazz education programs at both the Manchester Community Music School and the Bedford Youth Performing Company. Dr. Guerra earned a B.A. from the University of New Hampshire in saxophone performance, a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies from the Clark Terry International Institute of Jazz Studies, an M.M. from the Eastman School of Music, and a D.M.A. in jazz composition from the FROST SCHOOL OF MUSIC.

Testimonials

“Steve Guerra worked with my middle school jazz band this past Saturday at the NHBDA 2018 Jazz Clinic. What a great experience! Dr. Guerra (he introduced himself to the kids as “Steve”) was able to connect with my kids right away. His comments and recommendations were stated in clear language that they could understand and act upon right away. They’ve been quoting him all week at school, talking about jazz being a language and articulations being part of the vocabulary. The first thing that my trumpet players did in rehearsal this week was make sure their music stands were set up so that the stands didn’t block their sound. Amen! And man, the kids were listening during rehearsal and calling each other out for not matching articulations, note lengths, and style. Thank you Steve, I’m looking forward to your next appearance in New Hampshire!”

Vince Duval, Band Director, Nashua, NH

“Teachers of his caliber are universally inspirational and serve as a credit to the profession of music education. Not only is Steve an outstanding clinician, but as a flexible, communicative and amicable person, working with him is also an absolute pleasure.”

Dave Umstead, NHBDA Jazz Clinic Coordinator

“One of my favorite arrangers!”

Clark Terry