Instructor Biography

Stephens' journey with music began when she was five years old. Her parents placed her in piano lessons from a local church musician to help develop reading skills, and - whether it was on piano or not - she loved to make music ever since. During her time in middle school, Stephens began directing her attention from her classical roots in piano to playing metal, rock, and funk guitar, along with many other instruments. From the help of many local Manhattan musicians, she would begin the development of a style that would soon become distinctly rooted in funk and soul, and would weave into styles of all musicians she would meet. She was also recommended to NY native, Siepo Sampson by Dr. Wayne E. Goins of Kansas State University to resume Stephens' education in piano and to introduce her to what would be her entry into a world that she would feel close to for a long time ahead - the world of jazz. Aliyah has studied Music Education as a trombonist and Music Composition as a pianist at Kansas State University. She spends most of her time recording arrangements and original songs for fun. She is currently playing with The Ruckus, a ska band from Manhattan, KS as a vocalist and keyboard player in the Denver, CO area.