Biography

Steven's musical education began at the age of nine both as a choral scholar at Wakefield Cathedral and playing with local brass bands near his home in Yorkshire. Having played with the Black Dyke, Brighouse and Rastrick, Fairey and Grimethorpe Colliery bands, Steven still enjoys playing with his local band; Rothwell Temperance, on Christmas day every year!

Steven began his studies at the Royal College of Music in 2003 and spent a year of his course at the Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst in Vienna, studying with Dietmar Küblböck and Ian Bousfield from the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra. Whilst in Austria, he was supported by the Royal Philharmonic Society’s Julius Isserlis Scholarship and at this time, played with the Hofmusikkapelle Orchestra, reached the final of the BBC Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition and was selected as a member of the European Union Youth Orchestra.

Following on from his undergraduate degree Steven embarked upon a Masters Degree at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. A Scholar at the GSMD; Steven developed many musical ideas under the tutorage of Eric Crees, Peter Gane and Simon Wills. His orchestral experience is extensive and includes trials for Principal Trombone with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra and Sub Principal Trombone with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales and performances with the Philharmonia, BBC Concert and Bournemouth Symphony orchestras and also Opera North. Performing with the National Symphony Orchestra, Steven has enjoyed working with artists such as Katherine Jenkins, Hayley Westenra, Garder Thor Cortes and Aled Jones.

Steven also enjoys regularly playing in several West End musicals and has performed in Evita (Adelphi Theatre), Spamalot (Palace Theatre), Chicago (Cambridge Theatre), Carousel (Savoy Theatre), Sister Act (London Palladium), Oliver! (Theatre Royal Drury Lane), Legally Blonde (Savoy Theatre) and was delighted to be asked to play in the 50th anniversary production of West Side Story.