Musician
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Stefan was born in London, England into a family of musicians and performers. His mother played the accordion and provided entertainment for the troops during the war. After listening to his father play a Spanish piece called "Malagueña" on the guitar, Stefan was hooked. He taught himself to play guitar and joined his first band when he was 15 and living in Italy, where his father was stationed. When a different band that Stefan was in wanted to add keyboards to their repertoire, Stefan taught himself how to play keyboards, too.
Resourceful and versatile, Stefan has been involved in the local music scene for over 40 years. In the 80's, he played keyboards and |
provided vocals for an oldies/country style band called Backstreet with another local musician, Gene Resler. In the 90's, Stefan joined well-known, local musician Marty Martin in the Marty Martin Band, playing keyboards, bass keyboards and providing vocals. The Marty Martin Band was popular in local venues, including Vacaville's Summer Creekwalk Concert Series, and throughout Northern California and Nevada. Stefan played with the Sterling Silver Band, which included Steve Rosenthal on Bass/Vocals, Gene Resler on Guitar/Vocals and Sandy Blast on Drums/Vocals. The Sterling Silver Band performed at John Ascuagas Nugget for Hot August Nights and the Carson Valley Inn. In 2009, Gene Resler asked Stefan to join Afterglow. Afterglow was formed in the 60's and, after releasing one album in 1968, the band went silent. When the fans re-released the original album 30 years later, Afterglow starting enjoying a level of recognition and respect that eluded them many years ago. With Stefan on keyboard and vocals, Afterglow has continued to perform all over Northern California, including Siskiyou County. Their album Unearthed was released in 2012.
Teacher
Stefan began teaching students, both young and old, 25 years ago. He teaches guitar (electric and acoustic), piano, bass, ukelele and banjo. His ultimate goal for his students is for them to be fully engaged in the fun part of mastering their instrument. To achieve that end, Stefan has students playing along with songs they like from beginning to end. For guitar, Stefan utilizes tab notation and memorizing chords so that a mastery of reading music is not necessary in order to have initial success playing the instrument. Since reading music is important in the development of learning an instrument, music theory is worked into each lesson over time. Eventually, Stefan's students can master reading music while still playing the music that they enjoy. Twice a year, students have the opportunity to be showcased at recitals.
Stefan also teaches guitar through Music Matters, a program through the Young Artists Music Conservatory of Vacaville, that provides on-site music lessons to students in Solano County area schools. These lessons are privately funded and allow elementary age students to have music lessons in schools that have reduced or cut their music programs.
Stefan also teaches guitar through Music Matters, a program through the Young Artists Music Conservatory of Vacaville, that provides on-site music lessons to students in Solano County area schools. These lessons are privately funded and allow elementary age students to have music lessons in schools that have reduced or cut their music programs.