Stephen Molina

Stephen Molina is the Assistant Principal Bass of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. He served in the interim position of Acting Principal Bass from 2002–2008 and from 2012–2014. Born in New York City, he began his musical training at age six and went on to graduate from the College-Conservatory of Music at the University of Cincinnati in 1975. His primary teachers include Marvin Topolsky of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra and Barry Green, former Principal Bass of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra. Molina has attended many prestigious summer music festivals including Interlochen, Aspen, and Tanglewood. He has also performed at the Utah Music Festival and at the Grand Teton Music Festival in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

Prior to joining the DSO in September 1976, Molina served as a member of the New Orleans Philharmonic and the New Orleans Bass Quartet. He has performed with several Detroit-area ensembles including the Lyric Chamber Ensemble, the Renaissance City Chamber Orchestra, the Ars Poetica Chamber Orchestra, the American Artists Series, the Great Lakes Chamber Music Festival, and the Ann Arbor Chamber Music Festival.

An active educator, Molina regularly teaches bass, coaches chamber ensembles, and gives masterclasses. He has also taught at the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Eastern Michigan University, Wayne State University, and Oakland University.

In 1983, the DSO engaged Molina with the added responsibilities of Assistant Personnel Manager which later evolved into the position of Associate Personnel Manager in 1989 and Orchestra Personnel Manager in 1998, a position he served in until 2015.