Outstanding Alum: Early Career Professional
Stephen Cusano has been making a culturally vibrant impact throughout Connecticut since his late teenage years. A drummer, producer, and recording studio entrepreneur, Cusano hails from North Haven, where he organized his first cultural innovation, “A Give Back Benefit Concert,” to support his high school’s music program.
After graduating from The Hartt School’s Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz, he embarked on a musical touring schedule with several notable acts.
Recognizing the need for a dedicated, artist-centered creative space in Hartford, Cusano founded Parkville Sounds, a continuously evolving hub for regional artists. It serves as a recording studio, performance venue, and cultural community center. Now in its ninth year, Parkville has hosted thousands of musicians, from local rising stars to international performers. Its services include album production, EPs, singles, live video, voiceovers, and more. Notable artists he has worked with include former members of the Allman Brothers Band, the Rolling Stones, and Lincoln Center jazz troupes.
The Parkville Sessions, which Cusano created and produced, is a live in-studio concert series available to the public.
Music, always at the heart of The Hartt School, has also been central to Cusano’s passion and artistic identity. This alignment has made him an invaluable contributor to the cultural life of Connecticut’s capital city.