Stephen Sano

Stephen Sano is the Harold C. Schmidt Director of Choral Studies and Professor (Teaching) of Music at Stanford University’s Department of Music. He directs the Stanford Chamber Chorale and Symphonic Chorus, earning acclaim for his conducting and musicianship. Recognized as a leader in music education, he holds the Rachford and Carlota A. Harris University Fellow in Undergraduate Education and received the 2005 Dean’s Award for Distinguished Teaching.

• Education: D.M.A. (1994), A.M. (1991) in Choral/Orchestral Conducting from Stanford; B.A. (1981) in Piano Performance/Music Theory from San José State University

His research interests span choral performance, historical performance practice, and ethnomusicological performance traditions like Hawaiian slack key guitar and Japanese American taiko. His recordings, including Grammy-nominated works like Songs from the Taro Patch, highlight his dual focus on classical and cultural music.

Award-winning conductor, Dr. Sano has collaborated internationally with institutions such as Trinity College Cambridge, Royal Holloway London, and Berlin’s Universität der Künste. He is also a sought-after masterclass teacher and adjudicator, influencing choral programs across 20+ countries.

• Key roles: Guest conductor for Peninsula Symphony Orchestra, Tanglewood Music Center alumni, Wilkes University Encore Festival faculty