About Stephen Cannistraci

Stephen Cannistraci, originally from Lebanon PA, is a euphonium performer and low brass educator based in Fairfax, VA. He performs regularly as a member of the Brass Band of Northern Virginia and the City of Fairfax Alte Kamaraden German Band. As a soloist, he has performed with various university and community bands including the George Mason University Wind Symphony, Penn State University Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Keystone Band of Rehrersburg, and Perseverance Band of Lebanon. In competition he was most recently a semi-finalist in the 2020 Leonard Falcone International Euphonium and Tuba Conference Euphonium Artist Solo competition, and was previously named runner-up in the 2019 International Tuba Euphonium Conference (ITEC) Euphonium Solo with Electronic Accompaniment competition and the 2017 International Women’s Brass Conference (IWBC) solo competition.

As a chamber musician Stephen was one of the founding members of the Carillon Tuba Quartet, which served as the 2015 Messinger Chamber Music Ambassadors for the Eastman School of Music performing concerts throughout rural upstate New York. The quartet was named runner-up in the 2016 ITEC Small Ensemble Competition and was awarded the Eastman School of Music’s Celentano Award for Excellence in Chamber Music that same year. They were featured on the WXXI Public Broadcasting Council’s Backstage Pass radio program in the summer of 2016. Stephen has performed at regional and international conferences with the George Mason Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, Penn State University Tuba Euphonium Ensemble, and the Eastman Tuba Mirum.

In addition to performing, Stephen is the co-host and co-producer of The Early American Brass Band Podcast, focusing on 19th century American Brass Bands and their role in American society.

Stephen earned a Master of Music degree in euphonium performance from Penn State University, and Bachelor of Music degrees in Instrumental Music Education and Euphonium Performance from the Eastman School of Music, along with a Performer’s Certificate and Arts Leadership Certificate. He is currently a Doctoral pre-candidate at George Mason University studying with Dr. Mark Jenkins.