Stephen Flaherty

• Born: September 18, 1960, Pittsburgh, PA
• Active: '80s, '90s, 2000s
• Genres: Soundtrack
• Instrument: Piano

Biography

An early proclivity for music, and especially musicals, has led Stephen Flaherty to become one of the most well-known writers of modern musical scores. Born in Pittsburgh, Flaherty composed his first score at age 14 and went on to study at the Cincinnati College Conservatory. After graduating from college, he moved to New York, where he studied with music theater legend Lehman Engel at the BMI Music Theater Workshop. It was there that he met his creative partner, Lynn Ahrens; together they have written for stage -- including Ragtime (1996) and Suessical: the Musical (2001) -- and have branched into movies with 1997's animated feature Anastasia. ~ Wade Kergan, All Music Guide