Stephen Runge is the Director of the School of Art at the University of Manitoba, having joined in 2025. He previously served as a Professor of Piano at Mount Allison University, where he was the Head of the Department of Music. Runge has a Doctor of Music in Piano Performance from l’Université de Montréal, and an Artist Diploma from Glenn Gould School, Royal Conservatory of Music. He holds a Master of Music and Bachelor of Music from the University of Victoria. Throughout his career, he has earned prestigious awards, including the Paul Paré Medal and the J.E.A. Crake Award. Runge is recognized for his versatility as a pianist and has performed with orchestras such as the Regina Symphony Orchestra. He is also known for his involvement in music education and has presented workshops and conferences on topics related to performance practices. In addition, he is the Vice-President of the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association and a member of the Royal Conservatory of Music’s College of Examiners.