Steve Osburn, Oz’s Music, Know Obstacles, and The Music Environment.

Episode 7 deals with a very talented and giving person, Mr. Steve Osburn. Steve is a highly skilled musician who attended Interlochen Academy three times in pursuit of further training in classical guitar. He’s also master of many instruments, including keyboard, bass, and the Chapman Stick (which is a cross between guitar, bass and keyboard with 12 strings), his mastery of which led him to give instruction on the same at the prestigious National Guitar Summer Workshop in Connecticut.

Additionally, Steve is the organizer of the band “Know Obstacles”, which serves individuals on the spectrum, as well as those with physical disabilities. Steve seeks to enhance the lives of the band members through music in a role which he calls “Music Enrichment Specialist”. Ken Kozora (S1E3) also plays a role in the summer camps which in part help those in Know Obstacles get ready for the show that’s to be performed by them later in the summer.

In addition to Steve’s efforts with Know Obstacles, he also runs The Music Environment, which dates back to 1979. The Music Environment, is an unusual place that features a wide variety of musical instruments in a no-pressure environment; individuals interested in learning an instrument can come in and try them out to see what best suits their interest and ability. It’s located right next door to Oz’s Music, which is run by his wife Leslie Zager, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and has been since 1990.

Additionally, Steve has studied classical guitar with Nelson Amos at Eastern Michigan University and has also performed for Master Classes with Michael Lorimer and Manuel Ramos.

Also, Allison (Alli) Doxie should be mentioned here in that a few years ago, she produced a short-form documentary on Steve and his work with the Know Obstacles Band. You can find that video by searching for it on Vimeo (hint: it’s definitely worth watching). Just look for "I'm With The Band: The Know Obstacles Story" on Vimeo.

Lastly, Steve also attended training at the New England Montessori Training Center – but not to become a teacher, rather, in order to understand how such an instructional ethos might be adapted to teaching young children music. He has taught within Montessori schools in the past but now focuses on musical tutelage and life enhancement outside of the school system.