Steven Alvarez facts for kids

Steven Alvarez is a super talented artist! He's a singer, a drummer, and he helps create movies and plays. He's also from the Mescalero Apache and Yaqui Native American communities.

Steven grew up in a military family, so he lived in many different places like Hawaii, Okinawa, and all over the U.S. This helped him learn about many different cultures.

A Creative Artist

Steven is an artist who works in many ways. He has worked with big groups like symphony orchestras, opera companies, and musical theatre groups. He also helped make twelve cultural documentary films for the Alaska Native Heritage Center. These films were shown at festivals around the world and on TV in the U.S.

Steven's Music Journey

Steven started working as a professional musician when he was just 16 years old. He played music to help pay for college. For over 30 years, he has worked with many bands, theatre groups, and orchestras.

Playing with Orchestras

From 1982 to 1989, Steven regularly played with the Monterey Symphony and Santa Cruz Symphony Orchestras. He also performed at the Monterey Jazz Festival in 1983 with jazz artist Bobby Hutcherson.

Famous Jingles

You might have heard Steven's music without even knowing it! He has recorded jingles for radio and TV commercials. He sang and played drums for the 15-second Hershey's Kisses Christmas commercial. This jingle has been played every year since 1989! Before moving to Anchorage in 1997, Steven worked as a freelance musician in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Theatre and Big Productions

Steven has performed, directed music, or produced more than 40 theatre shows. He also helped start a theatre group called Theatre Artists United in Anchorage, Alaska.

Spirit of Alaska

In 2015, Steven was the Artistic Director and Producer for "Spirit - the 7th Fire of Alaska." This was a special Alaska version of a big show by Peter Buffett called "Spirit, the Seventh Fire."

Echoes: A Unique Show

In 2008 and again in 2018, Steven worked with the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra to create "Echoes." This was a brand new show that combined music from a symphony orchestra with traditional songs and dances from Hawaii, Alaska, and other Native American groups.

Memorable Stage Roles

Steven has played many important roles on stage. Some of his most famous parts include:

• Jesus and Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar
• Che in Evita
• The Celebrant in Bernstein Mass
• The Evangelist in Bach's St John Passion

He also created and performed a special one-man show about Native American culture. It mixed traditional storytelling with modern songs and films. This show first appeared at the National Museum of the American Indian and has been performed all over the country.

Current Work and Contributions

From 2000 to 2015, Steven worked at the Alaska Native Heritage Center. He directed programs for arts, education, and the public.

Playing Today

Today, Steven is the main percussionist for the Anchorage Symphony, the Anchorage Opera, and the Anchorage Concert Chorus orchestras. In 2010, he performed at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver with Valerie Naranjo, a percussionist from Saturday Night Live.

Musical Groups

Steven is also a member of two musical groups:

• Medicine Dream, an intertribal band.
• Taagi, Three Sides, a Native classical trio with cellist Dawn Avery and violinist Tara-Louise Montour.

He also currently works as the Tribal Administrator for Ugashik Traditional Village.