Dr. Steven Taranto

Originally from Chicago, Steven began his career in church music at age fourteen, serving as a volunteer organist. After high school, he attended Elmhurst College, receiving a BM degree in music business and a BA in church music. Thereafter, Steven received his Master of Sacred Music at the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Upon graduating, he began as the Director of Music and Organist for First Presbyterian Church of Jackson, Tennessee, and was the conductor of the Festival Singers, an inter-denominational community choir hosted by First Presbyterian Church. Steven was also musical director for the Jackson Theater Guild and served as primary accompanist for the Jackson Community Children’s Choir as part of the community music program at Union University. In 2006, he moved to Oxford, Mississippi, completing his Ph.D in music education at the University of Mississippi in 2010, working full-time as a financial aid administrator for the university, and serving as Organist/Choirmaster for St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, also accompanying the Oxford Civic Chorus. Steven loves gardening and musical theatre.