Stephen Cook, pianist 

Pianist, composer, and nonprofit leader, Dr. Stephen Cook has dedicated his life to building culture.

A student of luminary pianists Ursula Oppens, Robert Hamilton, and Eteri Andjaparidze, Cook trained at DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Arizona State University where he earned his Doctor of Musical Arts Degree. 

He has also worked with legendary pianists Vladimir Feltsman, Alexander Slobodyanik, Philip Kawin, and Alexander Toradze and is prizewinner of numerous competitions including the Jacob Flier International Piano Competition, Klatzkin Contemporary Music Competition, Beverly Hills National Auditions, North Shore Musicians Club Competition, DePaul University's Concerto Competition, National Society of Arts and Letters Piano Competition, Arizona State University Concerto Competition, & Yamaha/Sherman Clay Young Artists Piano Competition. 

A visionary pianist, Dr. Cook expands the traditional piano recital with distinctive elements of artistic fusion. His innovative performance projects harmoniously merge music with visual arts, literature and film. His newly released interactive book Picturing Rachmaninoff is an example of this format.

As an educator, Dr. Cook fosters appreciation for artistic tradition, craftsmanship, and creative expression. He leads a private piano studio, serves on the faculty of Scottsdale Community College and Mesa Community College, and is founder and director of the Oracle Chamber Music Festival and the Oracle Conservatory. 

Dedicated to community outreach and cultural development, Dr. Cook founded the Oracle Piano Society in 2012. Under Cook's leadership, the organization has grown into a thriving institution providing barrier-free music education to rural communities through music instruction and performance.