معرفی
Stephen M. Sano is a Professor and Harold C. Schmidt Director of Choral Studies in Stanford University's Department of Music, leading the Stanford Chamber Chorale and Symphonic Chorus since 1993. Renowned as a "gifted conductor" with "intense engagement," he has performed internationally with elite ensembles including Cambridge University choirs, London's Joyful Company of Singers, and Vienna's Kammerchor der Universität Wien.
His academic credentials include:
- D.M.A. in Choral and Orchestral Conducting/Historical Performance Practice (Stanford University, 1994)
- A.M. in Choral and Orchestral Conducting (Stanford University, 1991)
- B.A. in Piano Performance/Music Theory (San Jose State University, 1981)
Sano's research bridges Western classical traditions with Pacific Islander and Asian American musical forms, specializing in choral/orchestral conducting, historical performance practice, Hawaiian slack key guitar (kī hō‘alu), and North American taiko drumming. His innovative work integrates scholarly rigor with cross-cultural performance practices, earning critical acclaim for musical acuity and cultural authenticity.
His major honors include:
- Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching (2005)
- Rachford and Carlota A. Harris University Fellow in Undergraduate Education
- Multiple Grammy nominations across choral and slack key genres
- Finalist for Hawaii's premier music awards (Nā Hōkū Hanohano and Hawaiian Music Award)
As an educator, Sano has mentored generations of musicians through Stanford's choral program while expanding academic boundaries as Faculty Director of Asian American Studies. His leadership extends to conducting master classes across 20+ U.S. states and six countries, fostering global choral excellence through the Wilkes University Encore Festival and Tanglewood Music Center.
He directs Stanford's premier ensembles while maintaining active performance careers in slack key guitar (recordings on Daniel Ho Creations and Ward Records) and taiko, demonstrating exceptional versatility across Western classical, Hawaiian, and Japanese American musical traditions.
