BIOGRAPHY – ARTIST/INSTRUMENTALIST/SCORE COMPOSER/FILM DIRECTOR/ACTOR
He is noted by many as a creative genius as someone so gifted with so many artistic abilities. Often told by others that it is rare that you come across someone so gifted, hardworking and humble. Steven is a French/Italian multidimensional instrumentalist who was born June 21, 1964 on the first day of summer and Father’s Day, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Growing up in Toronto, Steven attended St. Timothy’s Catholic School, Brebeuf College School, which is a boys’ school, whose main apostolate is the Christian education of youth, Woodbine Junior High school in Toronto, Georges Vanier, the public high school in Toronto, and Seneca College of Applied Arts. Steven also trained in sports at York University in Toronto, where he enjoyed many years of track and field. His goal was always to run in the Olympics but after signing his first universal deal with Warner/Chappell he found that it was very difficult to manage both his sports and at the same time give his music the attention that the labels were looking for. It was at that time that he hung up is racing flats.
Steven Vitali says that he cannot take all the credit for his success, and that his success springs from his loving, supportive family and his friends.
Steven’s mother was born in North Dakota and although spent most of her life in Canada she never gave up her American citizenship. His father, now a retired builder was raised by his French mother and his Italian Father. Steven’s maternal Grandfather on his mother’s side was French American, and his maternal Grandfather on his father’s side was Italian. Steven says that accounts for the passion within his music and films. Vitali’s maternal Grandmother was also American.
Steven often tells others that when it comes to his art he is much like his father, only that he builds arrangements in music and scenes in films, rather than tall structures.
Steven first played music in the orchestra at St. Timothy’s Catholic School. At an early age Steven enjoyed participating in public speaking and classroom school drama. He particularly remembers playing the character role of a pizza maker where he performed in the library and sang for family, friends and teachers. And it was here at St. Timothy’s school that Steven got a taste of acting and received his first taste of orchestral arranging.
Steven Vitali was initially musically inspired after seeing an orchestra perform the “Nutcracker Suite” ballet, cementing his desire to compose his own music. Although Steven Vitali was mainly self-taught as a composer, his musical training began in grade school, where he played the trumpet and French horn. He took the principles he learned a step further, and knew that song writing was what he wanted to do.
Steven Vitali’s music has been represented by such companies as, Sony Music, Capitol Records, Warner/Chappell Music and Koch. 1n 1994 Steven Vitali was inducted into the Canadian Snowbirds Hall of Fame as an Honorary Snowbird in recognition for his outstanding contribution to the Canadian Snowbirds flying team.
Vitali has gained a worldwide reputation as a multi-instrumentalist. Steven Vitali is able to explain music to a wide variety of listeners in a clear and definitive manner. Vitali’s masterful music is built on romantic structure. It is all at once lyrical, rhythmical, and harmonically opulent. Vitali is a composer, arranger, and performer, equally at home writing for radio, the concert hall, and for film and television.
As a young boy, Steven received his first piano as a gift from a generous neighbor, who perhaps intuitively recognized his musical desires. Thus began his inspirational journey of musical expression. In Steven Vitali’s quest to find new sounds he truly relates and refers to the statement made by the late, John Cage who wrote, “My favorite music is the music I haven’t yet heard. I don’t hear the music I write: I write in order to hear the music I haven’t yet heard.”
Steven’s musical arrangements convey imagination and emotion which evoke a sense of passion, excitement and romanticism. He is able to integrate this into his personal style in a remarkable manner. Vitali’s music is an unique blend of virtually all styles, often merging popular and classical styles.
Since Steven Vitali first came to Hollywood he has been gaining attention not only as a film score composer/instrumental artist, but also as an actor, director and film producer. He enjoys all aspects of getting acquainted with Hollywood Film Productions, other producers and directors.
Steven Vitali is no stranger to helping causes and people. He has composed music for Celine Dion to help bring awareness for Cystic Fibrosis. He has hosted two charity runs
in Canada, one to help raise money for Sick Kids Hospital and the other to help raise money for Hugh MacMillan Medical Centre.
In December 2019, Steven was made the Ambassador for Teen Cancer America, and as since raised thousands of dollars for this charity.
