Dr. Ian Saunders

Dr. Ian Saunders is the Artistic Director of Project STEP, an organization dedicated to providing comprehensive music instruction to young musicians from historically underrepresented communities in classical music. With extensive experience in both performance and arts administration, Dr. Saunders has made a lasting impact on the organizations he has served.

In addition to his leadership at Project STEP, Dr. Saunders has held key administrative roles, including Assistant Dean of Students at The Eastern Music Festival and Assistant Dean for Artistic and Social Change at The Longy School of Music. His work in these roles emphasized creating equitable opportunities in music education and fostering artistic growth. He is a fellow of the Sphinx LEAD program, which focuses on preparing leaders to advance equity in the arts, and serves on the boards of Equity Arc and Emmanuel Music, supporting efforts to promote diversity and accessibility.

As a performer, Dr. Saunders has appeared with The Cleveland Orchestra, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, The Sphinx Symphony, and A Far Cry, earning acclaim for his technical and interpretive excellence. His collaborations with artists like Audra McDonald and Rakim da God highlight his versatility. He has also appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show, advocating for Project STEP’s transformative mission.

Dr. Saunders earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in double bass performance from Penn State University and a doctorate of musical arts from the University of Maryland. His career exemplifies a commitment to artistic excellence, education, and leadership in advancing equity in classical music.

Photo: Artists For Humanity