Steve Olson, a native of Belt, Montana began studying piano at the age of ten with Judith A. O’Dell of Great Falls. In November 2005, Steve entered his first piano competition, the Montana State Music Teacher’s Association Fall Festival in Billings, where he took first place in the senior solo piano division. At the age of fifteen, Steve began studying violin with Shirley Menghini, a rural Belt violin teacher, and the next year began studying with Jennifer Smith of Great Falls.
Steve participated in the Great Falls Youth Orchestra for all four years of high school, and conducted a piece with the youth orchestra his senior year. Steve is currently substitute teaching and accompanying in the Great Falls Public School System. Steve is a graduate of the University of Montana and holds Bachelor's Degrees in Piano Performance major and Music Education. While at the University, Steve studied with Prof. Steve Hesla (piano), Dr. Margaret Baldridge (violin), and Prof. Fern Glass (cello). Steve also plays violin with the University Orchestra, Helena Symphony, Glacier Symphony, Great Falls Symphony, Billings Symphony, and Minot, ND Symphony. Steve hopes to teach strings in the public schools for at least five years, and then get a Master’s Degree in Collaborative Piano.
ASTA, MENC, NEA, MEA-MFT