Harold Stephan is a distinguished music educator, songwriter, and producer whose dynamic career spans over three decades in the music industry. As Chair of the Songwriters Hall of Fame New York Education Committee, he has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of songwriters through his co-creation of the Master Sessions at Stuyvesant High School and the Songwriters of Tomorrow Scholarship.

Beginning his career in the 1990s at New York City’s renowned Unique Recording Studios, Stephan worked alongside legendary artists and producers such as LL Cool J, Phil Spector, Maurice Starr, and Keith Diamond. These early experiences laid the foundation for a multifaceted career bridging performance, composition, and education.

Harold co-founded the band Amelia’s Dream with his wife, songwriter and singer Amelia S. Gewirtz. Together, they have released multiple albums, and their original music has been featured in Disney films and network television shows including ABC, CBS, MTV, and the Lifetime Network. Their song “Ballerina” was chosen as the theme for the award-winning web series Good n’ Screwed, executive produced by Stevie Van Zandt.

An accomplished composer and producer, Stephan co-wrote and co-produced Matty B’s hit single “Hooked On You,” which has garnered over 51 million views on YouTube. His expertise extends to composing jingles for major brands such as Burger King, Chevrolet, Campbell’s, Hasbro, Fisher-Price, Friskies, and Sears.

In the realm of theater, Harold has showcased his versatility by playing keyboards on Broadway productions including The Lion King, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, and A Bronx Tale. His contributions to these high-profile shows highlight his adaptability and skill across various musical genres.

Recognized by the Recording Academy and GRAMMY Museum for his contributions to music education, Stephan is a dedicated music teacher at Stuyvesant High School, where he instructs in music technology, guitar, and vocal music. Voted the #1 Teacher at Stuyvesant in 2020, he integrates cutting-edge technology and artificial intelligence into his curriculum. He also co-founded and serves as the Creative Director of the NYC All-City Modern Music Project, supporting students city-wide in writing, recording, producing, and performing original music.

A published author in Electronic Musician and Keyboard magazines, Harold’s commitment to music education is further demonstrated through his mentorship roles with the Paul Simon Music Fellows Program and Future, hosted by Darryl McDaniels of Run-DMC. A Lincoln Center Scholar, he holds a Master’s Degree with Honors in Music Education from Hunter College and a Bachelor of Music, Magna Cum Laude, from New York University. 

Venturing into new creative territories, Stephan has recently stepped into the world of animated comics and club DJing with the debut of Dollafin, a superhero story loosely based on his own life partnered with a trop house infused DJ project. Dollafin reflects his ongoing passion for storytelling, music making and innovation.

On a personal note, Harold met his wife, Amelia S. Gewirtz, in a SHOF songwriting class in 1992, an encounter that forever changed his life for the better. They reside in New York City with their son, Adam Stephan-Gewirtz, and their cat, Oscar.