Steven D. Davis is Rose Ann Carr Millsap Missouri Distinguished Professor of Music and Director of Bands at the UMKC Conservatory, where he conducts the Conservatory Wind Symphony and guides graduate conducting studies.

Now in his 20th season as conductor of the Youth Symphony of Kansas City, Davis is also head of the band program at Interlochen Arts Camp, where he serves as coordinator for all bands and has been a member of the faculty for two decades.

An internationally recognized conductor, educator, keynote speaker, and clinician, Davis has appeared throughout the United States and abroad in many of the world’s leading venues, including regular appearances at Carnegie Hall and the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, while also having conducted at London’s Royal Festival Hall, Vienna’s Das MuTh, Beijing Concert Hall and prominent cathedrals in Europe.  He regularly presents keynote addresses and serves as a headlining clinician at conservatories, universities, and professional conferences throughout the world.

Davis is frequently invited to conduct All-State bands and orchestras for state music educator conferences and organizations across the United States. Deeply committed to the advancement of music education through artistry, creativity, and human connection, he has guest conducted, taught, and evaluated hundreds of secondary public school music ensembles throughout his career.

Known for innovative and interdisciplinary artistic programming, Davis regularly collaborates with dancers, theater artists, actors, visual artists, lighting designers, and costuming professionals to create immersive and emotionally compelling concert experiences that expand traditional ideas of performance and audience engagement.

He has collaborated with ensembles and artists including The President’s Own United States Marine Band, Dallas Winds, Eastman Wind Ensemble, the Australian Royal Navy Band, the Bangkok Philharmonic Orchestra, PRISM Quartet, Timothy McAllister, Carol Jantsch, Gary Abbott, Brad Gemeinhardt, and Linda Strommen.

A strong advocate for contemporary music and interdisciplinary collaboration, Davis has conducted more than thirty premieres and has worked closely with composers including Chen Yi, Zhou Long, John Corigliano, Jennifer Higdon, and Steven Stucky.

His ensembles have appeared at national and international conferences and festivals including multiple performances at the Midwest Clinic and the Beijing Modern Music Festival. His interviews have also been featured on NPR, national television broadcasts, Apple Music, Spotify, and numerous podcasts focused on conducting, music education, artistry, and leadership. He has been recognized with countless awards honoring excellence in teaching, artistry, leadership, and service to the profession.  Scholarships and buildings have been named in his honor.

Davis is the founder and director of the Kansas City Conducting Symposium, which annually serves conductors from around the world. He is a member of numerous honorary societies and continues to advocate for innovative, expressive, and deeply human-centered approaches to music-making and music education.

Have questions about the Symphony Orchestra? Reach out to Professor Davis today!

sdavis@youthsymphonykc.org