Pianist Stephen W. Jones, of Charleston, SC, began playing the piano at the age of seven and has since performed extensively as a solo and collaborative pianist regionally and nationally. He has been heard and seen on nationally broadcasted radio and television programs including KUHF and KUHT. Mr. Jones has been a participant and prize winner in piano and concerto competitions, including the recipient of the Ruth Burr Award in the 2007 Nina Wideman International Piano Competition.  Mr. Jones has studied with Dr. James Lent, Dr. Sasha Starcevich, and, most recently, Mr. Timothy Hester at the Moores School of Music. He has also appeared in master classes with renowned pianists such as Horatio Gutiérrez, Frederic Chiu, Ruth Slenczynska, Awadagin Pratt, and Martin Katz.

Aside from solo piano, Mr. Jones collaborates extensively, specializing in vocal music and opera. He has played for numerous recitals, master classes, and recordings for singers of all voice parts.  Recently, Mr. Jones was an assistant opera coach and staff accompanist for La Fabbrica, an opera festival held in Tuscany, Italy, where he collaborated with renowned American composer Ricky Ian Gordon. He recently finished his last season as the principle pianist for the Moores Opera Center, where his performances ranged from La Finta Giardineira and A Midsummer Night's Dream to The Saint of Bleeker Street. He continues to work with the Moores Opera Center, having performed in Mozart's Lucio Silla and Ricky Ian Gordon’s The Grapes of Wrath this past season. Mr. Jones was also the musical director for Divergence Vocal Theater’s inaugural season, which included The Ottavia Project and The 10th Muse.

Mr. Jones is honored to be making his solo orchestral debut with the Fort Bend Symphony, under the baton of Maestro Héctor Agüero, Jr..