Steve Meharg began on violin in the Kelso and Longview school districts under the instruction of George Simonsen and Ray Clithero, changing to viola in junior high school. After graduating from R. A. Long HS in 1981, he studied viola under Alan Bodman at Washington State Univ., with additional studies under Joël Belgique of the Oregon Symphony.  Although a clinical psychologist by profession, he has continued to remain active in the orchestral and choral musical scene, serving as principal viola in the Southwest Washington Symphony, executive director and principal viola of the Columbia River Chamber Orchestra, volunteer instructor in the Longview School District orchestra program, and performer in area chamber ensembles.