Stephen is a freelance music teacher in Northern Ireland; he mainly tutors private piano/theory students in the town of Donaghadee. Born in 1962, he has lived in Donaghadee most of his life. The town is located in County Down, on the eastern coast of Northern Ireland, boasting a picturesque harbor and many items of historical interest.

Stephen plays the organ in Saint Comgall’s Church, a position he’s held since the early 1980s. His first organ lessons were taken on the Mulholland Grand Organ in Ulster Hall, Belfast. He studied under Dr. Desmond Hunter, an international organist and concert recitalist who specializes in early music.

Stephen’s degrees include M.Phil, B.Mus and LTCL, the latter required for private teaching. During his graduate studies he became seriously ill with a life-threatening illness. After major surgery and a 3-month recuperation, he resumed his studies and earned his M.Phil in 1991. For his Masters degree from the University of Ulster at Jordanstown (Belfast) he concentrated on the north German organists, particularly Nicholas Bruhns (a contemporary of Buxtehude).