Stephen Lochbaum began his classical training at the late age of 18 and achieved much in a short span of time. Within six years he had earned a Master’s degree from the University of Victoria, won the National Music Festival of Canada, and had the immense honor of performing with the legendary guitarist Pepe Romero as well as Alexander Dunn and Randy Pile. Shortly after graduation Stephen had his radio debut on CBC Radio 1 performing Romancero Gitano by Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco with the Vancouver Cantata Singers.
Stephen recently received his Doctorate from the University of North Texas where he was awarded a full-time teaching fellowship to study with Tom Johnson. His related field was early
music and as such Stephen also performs on period instruments including 8-course renaissance lute, 14-course theorbo, 5-course cittern, baroque guitar, 19th -century guitar, and terz guitar. At
UNT Stephen also had the immense honor of studying and performing with Paul Leenhouts who recently received a lifetime achievement award from the United Nations. As a lutenist he has
performed at the Boston Early Music Festival and studied with renowned Julliard professor Daniel Swenberg. He frequently performs with early music ensembles in Oklahoma, Arkansas,
and Texas. At UNT Stephen also studied with jazz pedagogue Fred Hamilton and has performed extensively in the jazz field.
While a student Stephen was very active on the classical guitar competition circuit and is a first prize winner at: The Florida Guitar Foundation International Competition, Indiana University
International Competition, The Canadian National Music Festival, Texas A&M International Competition, University of Louisville International Competition, the Columbus Guitar
Symposium, the Middle State Tennessee University International Competition, and the Allegro Guitar society competition in Dallas. He has also been a finalist earning top prizes over thirty
times at competitions in the US, Canada, and Germany. He was awarded a recording contract with EMEC Discos in Madrid and will record the music of Guilio Regondi.
Stephen is currently the director of the Celedonio Romero Guitar Institute in Oklahoma City. This
10-day immersive event offers students from around the globe the chance to learn from and
perform with Los Romeros guitar quartet in honor of Celedonio Romero.
He also takes guitar and voice students together with Dr. Courtney Crouse from Oklahoma City
University to Madrid each summer. There they give students chamber music coaching and the
opportunity to perform in various historic venues including the Ateneo where Andrés Sergovia
gave his Madrid debut.
Currently Stephen is on faculty at Oklahoma City University where he teaches guitar, pedagogy,
literature, and conducts various ensembles. Stephen has performed in numerous illustrious
venues including Carnegie Hall, Jordan Hall in Boston, and the Paris Conservatory. During the
2018/2019 season he performed in Germany, France, Spain, Canada, and the US. In 2019 alone
he had the opportunity to premiere five new compositions for various guitar ensembles.
