Kevin Olson

Biography

Kevin Olson is an active pianist, composer, arranger, and educator who joined the faculty at Utah State University in 2010 and currently serves as Interim Department Head of Music. He has taught a wide range of courses, including piano literature, music theory, composition, pedagogy, accompanying, and rock and roll, and oversees the university’s Youth Conservatory, a laboratory school for piano pedagogy where USU students gain teaching experience while providing instruction to more than 150 pre-college students throughout Cache Valley. The YC has been recognized by the National Association of Schools of Music as “a model in pre-college community music education programs.”

A Utah native, Kevin began composing at age five, and his music has been commissioned and performed by ensembles and organizations across the country. He has presented workshops and performances internationally, with recent engagements in India, China, Canada, and Great Britain, as well as an invitation to Australia in the coming year. Kevin is also a leading composer and arranger of piano music, with more than 200 published books and solos through the FJH Music Company, Hal Leonard, and Alfred Music, including recent arrangements of popular music, Broadway, film, and video game music. Kevin’s work reflects a lifelong commitment to creating musical connections and inspiring students to discover and develop their potential as musicians.