STEPHEN PURDY is known as a pianist and conductor, voice teacher and coach and as an author of books on the musical theatre. His book Musical Theatre Song: A Comprehensive Course in Selection, Preparation and Presentation for the Modern Performer, published by Bloomsbury, was hailed as “A Major Contribution to Musical Theatre Pedagogy” by The American Journal of Drama and prompted Opera great Placido Domingo to write that “Dramatic stage singers today are more hard-pressed than ever to deliver original, truthful and personal performances with bravura. Purdy’s text contains insightful, invaluable wisdom that gives stage performers the tools and the wherewithal to do this in a way that nurtures their individuality and fosters their artistry.” His second book, Flop Musicals of the Twenty First Century was published by Routledge. Both are available at bookstores worldwide and online.

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Purdy is on Musical Theatre Voice Faculty at Westminster Choir College, formerly Northeastern University (formerly Marymount Manhattan College) in New York City and maintains a diverse private studio in Manhattan. His current and former students have been cast in the Broadway and touring companies of virtually every major Broadway musical of the last 20 years and are performing on theatre and concert stages worldwide. He also maintains an active schedule as a teaching artist in the United States and abroad, having delivered master classes in musical theatre singing and performance in major cultural centers throughout Europe and Asia. He is also a long time pianist and coach at the Jimmy Awards, held annually in New York City.

 

As a pianist and conductor Purdy has a number of Broadway and Touring Company credits, notably Cathy Rigby in Peter Pan, The Full Monty and Disney’s Tarzan. He also toured Europe with 42nd Street, A Chorus Line, and Grease (Paris). He regularly musically directs and accompanies a range of Broadway and other distinguished performers at venues throughout New York City and beyond.

 

Stephen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Piano Performance and a Master’s in Vocal Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.

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