Performer Biography

Steven Brija

Bassist Steven Brija is an experienced chamber musician, recording artist, and soloist. Mr. Brija is a section member of the Firelands Symphony, and has played also with numerous other ensembles around Northeast Ohio including CityMusic Cleveland, Cleveland Pops, Akron Symphony, Mansfield Symphony, and the Youngstown State University Faculty Chamber Ensemble. Mr. Brija is also a core member of the string ensemble Opus 216, playing weddings, parties, corporate events and other mixed-genre shows. His recording work includes the soundtracks to video games Anthem and Destiny 2, and the movie The Professor and the Madman, all recorded at Oceanway Studio in Nashville, as well as 22 Groove Studies for String Orchestra by electric violinist, composer and producer Tracy Silverman.

​Mr. Brija teaches double bass throughout the greater Cleveland area, and recently joined the faculty of the Baldwin Wallace Summer Conservatory Institute. His students are members of the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra, Northern Ohio Youth Orchestra, Contemporary Youth Orchestra, and the Northeast Regional Orchestra. 

​Steven received his Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music in the studio of Scott Dixon. Before that, he studied Music Education at Belmont University and received his Bachelor of Music, studying bass with Craig Nelson. Other mentors include Charles Paul, Tracy Rowell, Joel Reist, Kevin Jablonski, Jaap ter Linden and Tracy Silverman.

​​Steven performs on a double bass made by Christopher Roberts in Cincinnati, OH in 2023 and a bow by Vincenzo Deluccia  in Philadelphia, PA ca 20th-c.