Dr. Steven Cunningham

Assistant Professor of Music Education

A gifted composer/arranger as well as a formidable trumpeter and improviser, Steven has had the opportunity to perform with the Brass Band at Battle Creek, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Josh Groban, El DeBarge, No BS! Brass Band, Lagniappe Brass Quartet, Jah Works, Maestro J, Black Pearl Chamber Orchestra, Lancaster Symphony Orchestra, Black Masala, The KG Experience, Brass of the Potomac, Joye B. Moore, The Peacherine Ragtime Orchestra, The Flavor Project, and Brunswick. He has performed in high-profile venues such as Carnegie Hall, DAR Constitution Hall, The Kennedy Center, Washington National Cathedral, Toronto Jazz Festival, The Tower Theater, The National Orchestral Institute, Musikfest, New York Gypsy Festival, International Trumpet Guild Conference, National Trumpet Competition, American Bandmasters Association Convention, and The Richmond Jazz Festival.

Steven received his Bachelor of Music degree from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2011, studying with Prof. Rex Richardson. He merited his Master of Music degree in 2014 and his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in 2017 from the University of Maryland, College Park, studying with Prof. Chris Gekker. Steven has served on the faculties at Grambling State University, Virginia Commonwealth University, and Dinwiddie High School. He was recently appointed Assistant Professor of Music Education at Hampton University, where he will teach a wide variety of courses, including applied trumpet.