Steve Menard has enjoyed an extensive performing career throughout the United States and South America.  Mr. Menard is currently principal trombone of the Baton Rouge Symphony Orchestra and a member of the Utah Festival Opera Orchestra. He has also performed with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Oregon Symphony, San Antonio Symphony, San Diego Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, Louisiana Philharmonic and many others.  In addition to his orchestral work, Mr. Menard has performed many Broadway shows, as well as recording sessions for television and film.  In 2006, Mr. Menard performed with the first national tour of Chita Rivera:  A Dancer’s Life, and in 2009 he performed with the national tour of Fiddler on the Roof, starring Chaim Topol. 

Mr. Menard is an active pedagogue, having presented master classes and solo recitals at universities around the country. He has performed as a guest artist and adjudicated solo competitions at the American Trombone Workshop, presented by the U.S. Army Band in Washington, D.C.  In 2013, Mr. Menard served on the faculty at the Alfredo De Saint Malo Music Festival in Panama City, Panama.   In 2008, he was a finalist for the Lewis van Haney Orchestral Excerpt Competition and winner of the Frank Smith Solo Competition at the International Trombone Festival.

Mr. Menard holds a bachelor of music degree in trombone performance from Northwestern University, and a master of music degree in trombone performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.  His primary teachers have been Michael Mulcahy, Mark Lawrence, and Richard Erb.  Prior to his appointment at the University of North Texas, he served for 5 years on the faculty at Louisiana State University.  His students have enjoyed success as orchestral audition winners, as prominent freelance musicians and arts administrators.