Stephen Wood began his undergraduate studies in composition at the University of Montana in the fall of 1996. During his three years at Montana, Stephen studied theory, counterpoint, and piano. The Composers Showcase every semester allowed Stephen to present his compositions to an audience for the first time. His compositions included two works for solo piano, a string quartet, and a trio for piano, clarinet, and violin. A newly opened recording studio and technology lab at the university opened many new doors and sparked many new ideas. Stephen began taking recording engineering and producing classes that were strictly project oriented. The object of the individual projects were to produce developed compositions in any style in a professional manner and atmosphere. Throughout the production process Stephen's compositional ear and thought process were challenged and inspired with the introduction of jazz.

In 2000 Stephen transferred to The Ohio State University to finish his undergraduate studies in composition with Jan Radzynski and begin his studies in jazz piano with Bobby Floyd. At this point jazz chord voicing began working its way into Stephen's compositions. His Woodwind Sextet, premiered in 2002, brings this direction to the forefront, harmonically and rhythmically. A developing harmonic language allowed Stephen to communicate what he was hearing in the bushes and alleyways of his new urban environment through a String Quintet composed in 2000 and premiered in 2001. In the Winter of 2002 Stephen received his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Composition from the Ohio State University.

The music scene of Columbus, Ohio has offered Stephen many opportunities to premier his compositions in both the jazz and classical genres as well as performing with many local jazz and rock musicians. Stephen has a regular sextet, Postal, that performs his jazz groove compositions in the local jazz clubs. The sextet has a full rhythm section of drums, acoustic bass, guitar, and keys, and a horn line with either a trumpet and tenor sax or a trombone and alto sax. Throughout 2003 Stephen took the sextet into the recording studio to record a full length album, "Theory of Chaconne", featuring 8 of his compositions.

In December of 2003 Stephen was commissioned by CoCo Loupe and Amiti Perry, two graduate students in the OSU dance department, to compose a string trio for a 15-minute original dance piece. With this trio Stephen explores his understanding of eastern European modes . This was a new step that has been developing over the past few years in smaller compositions. The dance, entitled 'Clock', was performed on the OSU winter dance concert in February 2004.

Stephen is currently involved in releasing his first solo record with Postal. He continues to create new work for his ensemble and other groups in the local scene.