Van Stiefel, born in 1965 in Atlanta, GA, has made a remarkable impact in the realm of guitar music. His blend of diverse musical styles and techniques, improvisation, electric guitar, and interactive technologies have set him apart as a composer, guitarist, producer, and author based in Avondale, PA. His prolific output includes over fifty compositions, establishing a distinct presence in the world of contemporary music.
Early Life and Education
Captivated by the Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour at the age of three, his parents nurtured his enthusiasm with a ukulele to accompany the show. At six, his guitar journey began under his father's tutelage. His exposure to classical music came through singing with the Atlanta Boy Choir, touring across England, Italy, and the United States.
He honed his classical guitar skills at Maple Street Guitars in Atlanta. His academic path led him to Yale College, where he received the Cox Prize for Music Composition. He furthered his education with a Masters in Guitar Performance from the Yale School of Music and a Certificate in Advanced Musical Studies from the Banff Centre in Alberta, where he was the Andre Segovia Memorial Fellow.
Career and Contributions
After completing his Ph.D. in music composition at Princeton University, Van embarked on creating chamber music that uniquely integrates the electric guitar with diverse instruments and computer-generated sound. He was a pivotal member of the Sap Dream Quartet, an experimental electric guitar group, performing at prestigious venues like the New York Guitar Festival and the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. He has carved a distinctive path in new guitar music, with two albums under New Focus Recordings and other works featured on Mode and Innova labels. His compositions, celebrated by renowned guitarists worldwide, are available through Da Vinci Publishing.
His work is renowned for its seamless integration of music and technology. As a self-taught computer programmer, he has created interactive pieces for laptop ensembles, both with and without electric guitar. Collaborations with the Princeton Laptop Orchestra (PLOrk) and presentations at the LSU Inaugural Symposium of Laptop Orchestras and Ensembles and at TedX Phoenixville are a testament to his innovative spirit. Beyond the guitar, his explorations include turntables, sound design, digital production, and spoken word, showcasing his desire to transcend traditional boundaries, creating experiences described by critic Bob Duggan of BigThink as "beyond space and time, deceiving in its simplicity."
Awards and Recognition
Stiefel’s significant contributions have been recognized with support from various organizations, including the Augustine Foundation, the Georgia Council for the Arts, the Mid-Atlantic Arts Council, Met-Life Composer Connections, and the American Composers' Forum.
Hobbies and Personal Interests
Beyond his professional realm, he enjoys drawing, painting, and producing animations for his compositions, influenced by his mother, a painter. He views these visual arts as a way to document time differently than music, offering audiences a unique perspective on his musical scores and recordings.
Upcoming Ventures
Constantly evolving, Dr. Van Stiefel has recently launched a Substack focused on guitar theory, music, music technology, and composition. This initiative promises to enrich his audience with a wealth of new content and insights while also fueling his creative endeavors.
Portfolio : http://drvanstiefel.com
