Steven Gooden
Merit Philharmonic Director, Conservatory Symphonic Band Director, Merit Music in Communities Band Director, Clarinet Faculty
Education:
Northwestern University, MM, Clarinet Performance and Literature
Georgia State University, BA, Music Education
Bio:
Steven Gooden is a conductor and mental performance coach whose work focuses on developing musicians who perform with clarity, depth, and composure in high-expectation environments. He serves as Music Director of the Merit Philharmonic Orchestra and leads ensembles across Merit’s Conservatory and community programs.
Steven is known for building expressive, technically grounded ensembles and for cultivating rehearsal cultures rooted in trust, focused listening, and musical meaning. His artistic work emphasizes repertoire that demands emotional presence, structural awareness, and a deep sense of ensemble responsibility.
Alongside his conducting, Steven integrates mental performance principles to support students’ focus, confidence, and resilience—particularly in preparation for high-pressure performances. He believes musical excellence and personal development are inseparable, and that young musicians thrive when artistic rigor is paired with skillful performance preparation.
Through his work at Merit, Steven is committed to helping students not only play at a high level, but to develop the presence and purpose needed for lifelong engagement in music. He is deeply invested in creating pathways that support students’ artistic growth across Merit’s ensemble continuum.
