Stephen Walsh earned his Bachelor of Music degree from the College of Creative Arts at West Virginia University in 1976. After working as a freelance pianist and accompanist, he received his commission in the United States Navy in 1978. Over the course of 21 years, he served aboard six warships and held various training and staff positions ashore. Following his naval career, he joined the Austin Lyric Opera Company in Texas. After the events of September 11, 2001, Stephen returned to military-related work and settled in Norfolk, VA. Throughout his diverse careers, he has remained a passionate musician, performing on an array of keyboard and woodwind instruments spanning from the 17th to the 21st centuries.