Artistic Leadership
Stephen Alltop
Music Director & Conductor
Stephen Alltop has built a career based on excellence in several disciplines, conducting both orchestral and choral ensembles, and performing as a keyboard artist.
The 2023-2024 season marks his twenty-seventh year as Music Director of the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.
Dr. Alltop is the ninth music director in the 151-year history of the chorus. Under his direction, the Apollo Chorus has expanded its collaborations to include appearances with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, Ravinia Festival, Peninsula Music Festival, and The Oprah Winfrey Show.
A specialist in oratorio performance, he has conducted over 100 oratorio and operatic masterworks. He also serves as music director for the Green Lake Choral Institute in Wisconsin and the Elmhurst Symphony Orchestra. In 2012, he was named Conductor of the Year by the Illinois Council of Orchestras.
In April of 2013, Stephen Alltop was named as Music Director and Conductor of the Champaign Urbana Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Alltop has served as a member of Northwestern University's conducting and keyboard faculties since 1994 where he conducts the Alice Millar Chapel Choir and the Baroque Music Ensemble.
Dr. Alltop has guest conducted numerous orchestras and choruses across the United States, including the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra in 2023. In 2007, he made his Carnegie Hall debut conducting music of Eric Whitacre. His recordings can be found on the Albany, Cedille, Clarion, and American Gramaphone labels.
Cody Michael Bradley
Assistant Conductor
Cody Michael Bradley is a versatile Chicago-based musician with experience as a singer, pianist, vocal coach, music director, and conductor.
Currently on the voice faculty of Loyola University, he has previously worked at the College Light Opera Company (MA) and spent one season at Opera in the Ozarks (AR) as both singer and pianist.
In 2016 he returned for his second season as a piano fellow at the Bay View Music Festival (MI), where he also conducted part of an opera scenes program.
Recent regional credits include productions with Chicago Fringe Opera, Petite Opera Productions, and Thompson Street Opera. Cody works with numerous schools, churches, and community service groups as a pianist and serves as a vocalist and assistant conductor with the Apollo Chorus of Chicago.