Max Stephenson
Max Stephenson studied trumpet, business, and marketing at Ithaca College under his primary professor, Christopher Coletti. He served as the principal trumpet in the Ithaca College Symphony Orchestra and is the former principal trumpet of the Cayuga Chamber Youth Orchestra. He was also the principal chair of the Wind Ensemble of NYSSMA's All-State Conference at the Eastman School of Music. Max's former teachers include Dr. Aaron Witek, Buddy Deshler, and Jane Dunnick. Across his YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok accounts, Max is approaching 30,000 followers and has gained over 4 million views.
Max is currently the Operations Manager of the World Civic Orchestra where he manages applications, invoices and financial records, graphic design, website development, social media, email communication between all WCO members, and production for concerts. He helped run the WCO's concert this past August at Merkin Hall, Kaufman Music Center in New York City and will be working the WCO concert in Budapest, Hungary this summer.
Max is also the current Operations Manager for the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra Youth Orchestra. In this position, he is responsible for ensuring that the scheduling and production of all CCOYO events (concerts, rehearsals, run-outs, auditions, and special events) run smoothly, effectively, and in a financially responsible manner. Since 2022, Max has been on the administrative staff as an intern at the Cayuga Chamber Orchestra. In the CCO, Max assists Sarah Chandler, the managing director, with administrative tasks such as CRM management, graphic and media design, ticket handling, and photography.
Max has earned several performance awards, including four International Trumpet Guild Scholarships for the years 2017, 2020, 2021, and 2022 and an Instrumental Magazine Musicianship award. In 2022 and 2023, he performed with the Ithaca College Trumpet Ensemble at the National Trumpet Competition, placing in the semi-finalists both years. He was also featured as an “Extraordinary Talent” on Channel 9 News, Syracuse. He is also a member of the Student Council for the League of American Orchestras.
Max has attended several music festivals, seminars, and camps. In the past few years, Max has attended the International Trumpet Guild Conference four times. In 2021, he attended Christopher Wilson's Military Trumpet Summit course. In 2018, he participated in a jazz band masterclass with Wynton Marsalis. He also attended the Ithaca College Summer Music Academy in 2015, 2016, and 2019. In school, Max carried various leadership positions in student organizations. In the Ithaca College Trumpet Guild, he has served as the social media chair and treasurer. Max has also held various positions in Phi Mu Alpha, a professional music fraternity, such as vice president, secretary, treasurer, recital chair, historian, social chair, alumni relations officer, and faculty relations officer.
As an active soloist and performer, Max performs for weddings, religious celebrations, and other events. Recently, he was hired to perform in the Cornell Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble.