Dr. Stephen Rush

Biography

Stephen Rush is a distinguished faculty achievement professor at the University of Michigan, where he has taught for 35 years. He earned his doctorate from the Eastman School of Music, studying under noted figures such as Gunther Schuller and Samuel Adler. Rush's extensive body of work includes eight operas, chamber music, and over 100 scores for various performers. His compositions have been recorded and performed globally, including with the Warsaw and Detroit Symphonies and the New York Philharmonic. He has presented multi-media works in countries including Japan, Germany, Hungary, and India. Rush has recorded 40 CDs encompassing electronic and experimental music, as well as jazz and orchestral performances. He directs the Digital Music Ensemble at the University of Michigan, which is known for its innovative site-specific works. Additionally, Rush teaches a variety of courses, including music composition and theory, and has conducted extensive studies in South Indian classical music, leading to unique cultural insights in his work. He has also authored works discussing the intersection of music and social justice and is currently collaborating on a music theory book aimed at decolonizing the subject.

Research Interests