Donald Stewart is a devoted teacher. He offers piano instruction for students of all ages and musical backgrounds, and enjoys working with youngsters as well as adults.

Emphasis is placed on the underlying elements that create good technique and foster artistic talents. He is a professional composer and introduces students to new works by contemporary composers and incorporates some music theory into the lessons.

As an undergraduate student at Gonzaga University, he was awarded ASCAP's Raymond Hubbell Scholarship for young composers. Outside the University, Mr. Stewart was twice awarded the American Guild of Organists Spokane Chapter composition prize.

While in college, Donald played piano, saxophone and percussion in numerous ensembles. He graduated in 1995 with a Masters of Music from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

After finishing his Masters, Mr. Stewart was among 15 composers worldwide, and the only American, to be selected for Maestro Franco Donatoni's three-month certificate program at the Accademia Chigiana in Siena, Italy. The program culminated in a concert of eight pieces composed during the seminar.

Donald has recently become the composer in residence of the Northwest Symphony Orchestra. During his two-year residency, he will write a large four part orchestral piece titled LECTIO DIVINA. He is currently working on a multimedia chamber opera titled PERPETUA, made possible by a grant from the King County Arts Commission.

Recent works include EMMAUS, for saxophone quartet, cello and 8 vocalists; mordecaiAWAKE, a commission from the St. James Cathedral; and a set of three chamber pieces titled CONVOLVE.