Stephen Jaffe

Stephen Jaffe (born December 30, 1954, in Washington, D.C.[1]) is an American composer of contemporary classical music.

He lives in Durham, North Carolina, United States, and serves on the music faculty of Duke University, where he holds the post of Mary and James H. Semans Professor of Music Composition; his colleagues there include composers Scott Lindroth, John Supko, and Anthony Kelley.

Jaffe graduated summa cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1977; he received a master's degree the following year from the same institution.

Jaffe's music has been performed across the United States, Europe, and China (including the Nottingham, Tanglewood, and Oregon Bach Festivals) by ensembles including the National Symphony Orchestra, the R.A.I.

Jaffe's notable students include Jeremy Beck, Dorothy Hindman, Penka Kouneva, Caroline Mallonée, Carl Schimmel, Amy Scurria, and Nathaniel Stookey.

Stephen Jaffe after a performance of his Homage to the Breath by the 21st Century Consort at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in 2015.