Stephen has been playing the violin from a very young age and music was a huge part of his childhood, as both of his parents were professional musicians/teachers. During his teenage years he was taught by Martin Milner, who let the Halle Orchestra from 1958-1987. After leaving school, Stephen studied at the Kneller Hall Army School of Music under Barrie Townsend and spent seven yeas as a professional musician in the army. He performed in concerts and displays around the word and let the Orchestra of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in such venues as St. James' Palace and the British Embassy in Washington D.C.
Stephen left the army to continue his education at Birmingham Conservatoire where he studied under Jim Sleigh and gained a BMus(hons) degree. During his time at the Conservatoire he spent two seasons as a member of the Young Musicians Symphony Orchestra, which selects its members from music colleges across the country. Although deciding not to pursue a career in music, Stephen has been a very active member of local Folk and Classical communities in Suffolk. He has performed at Folk Clubs and Festivals across the country as well as playing in the Suffolk Sinfonia, Wolsey Orchestra, and Churchgate Sinfonia.