The OU School of Music will host Shayna Steele, jazz artist and Tony winning actress, and David Cook, Taylor Swift's musical director, for a series of lectures and events Thursday and Friday as part of the 2024 Resonance Series.
Created in 2020 to bring more focus to the contemporary music scene, the Resonance Series has hosted more than 40 musicians, including over 20 Grammy Award winners.
Cook serves as Swift’s musical director and pianist, arranging her tours and playing alongside the 14-time Grammy winner since 2011. Throughout his career, Cook has music-directed and played for acclaimed artists, including Kesha, NSYNC and Ben Platt.
A No. 1 Billboard-charting artist, Steele began her career in musical theater and appeared in the original Broadway production of “Hairspray.” She has performed in Broadway productions of “RENT” and “Jesus Christ Superstar” and has been a background vocalist for artists like Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson and Bette Midler.
The husband and wife artists began writing music together in 2002, collaborating on Steele’s self-titled EP, which was released in 2004. In 2023, she released her fourth studio album “Gold Dust,” and debuted “American Diva with Shayna Steele,” an orchestral show featuring her original music.
Cook and Steele will host Q-and-A sessions and masterclasses, concluding with a concert in which students will get a chance to work closely and even perform with the duo.
Though he grew up in a musical family, Cook decided to pursue music when he was a junior in college, after an invitation to tour with jazz violinist Jerald Daemyon.
Cook told the OU Daily that he wished there were more opportunities at the university to hear from professional musicians and is excited to be able to share his experiences with students.
“The fact that we are in a position to be able to potentially help or shed some light on some potential career paths to students [in Norman] is a thing that I never take for granted,” Cook said. “Being able to help and give back in a very tangible sense is very important to me.”
Steele decided to pursue music as a child and said that, being from a small town, she often wondered how she would make it.
“I think people want to know that someone can be from anywhere,” Steele said. “You don't have to be like a New Yorker to be working in the industry professionally.”
Cook and Steele said they plan to speak about their own experiences in the music industry, as well as topics like jazz improvisation, vocal performance and the business of becoming an artist.
OU School of Music to host 2024 Resonance Series on Feb. 8-9.
Events are free and open to the public and will be held Feb. 8-9 at the Norman Public Library West, the Catlett Music Center and the Norman Music Institute.
This story is edited by Emma Blakley. Avery Avery copy edited this story.
