Dr. Lias frequently serves as adjudicator, clinician or guest speaker.  He is the Chair of the international judging panel of the ISCM-IAMIC Young Composers' Competition, and served on the 2011 Kazimierz Serocki International Composers’ Competition (Poland).  He has presented at numerous regional, national, and international conferences on a variety of topics, as well as numerous guest appearances at national parks and community music organizations.


Recent engagements include:

• Denali Arts and Humanities Alliance (Alaska)
• Melbourne Conservatorium of Music (Australia)
• Conservatorium of Music, University of Tasmania (Australia)
• Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
• Regional Conference of Sigma Alpha Iota (Texas)
• Instructor for Alaska Geographic's "Composing in the Wilderness" field seminar.

• Capturing the Spirit of Adventure in Music - Overview of a multi-year project to compose chamber and concert works about the national parks of the United States.
   
• Disseminating Music in the Digital Age - As traditional publishers languish, what options are available to composers in today's complicated digital environment?
   
• Advice for Young Composers - This can be geared directly to high-school age composers, or to teachers who need guidance with how to provide support and guidance to students with emerging talent.
   
• Cross-Pollination in the Arts - What can composers learn from photography, literature, theatre, dance, etc?  Are we all working toward the same thing from different angles?
   
• Taking Bold Steps - Aimed at college-level composition students who need some inspirational guidance on how to make wise choices to build their own careers.
   
• Composing Incidental Music for Live Theatre - With over 10 years and 30 professional theatrical productions to his credit, Stephen Lias has a wealth of musical examples, scores, andecdotes, and advice about how to negotiate this rewarding and challenging field.

"Totally informative, entertaining and absorbing!"