Teaching Philosophy: "I try to teach each student as an individual and to work both on their strengths and weaknesses; to not have each student do the exact same exercises and lesson program yet still hold each student to a high standard and achievement level with the end goal to be able to have each student require the necessary skills that all good drum set players need so that each student can then use those skills to express themselves as individuals the best way they can. Therefore the word "can't" shall be gradually eliminated from their vocabulary when it comes to music and drumming in particular."
Biography: Stephen showed an interest in drumming at a very early age and began formal training in 4th grade, taking lessons on the snare drum, and learning to read snare drum notation and fundamental rudiments. Once he reached middle school, he played in the school orchestra and also the marching band.
In 1975, Stephen was recruited by a science teacher and professional drummer to join the Watertown Fife and Drum Corps. Being the very first person to be recruited, he was assigned the task of recruiting any other potential drummers interested and taught other drummers the rudiments and cadences needed. In 1976, they went to the state capitol in Washington D.C. and played for the president who was Jimmy Carter at the time, and also played at Disney World in Orlando Florida.
Stephen's first professional drum set gig was in high school with a 7- piece band called Lucky Seven. They played parties, weddings, and other formal events. Around this same time, Stephen studied privately with Jazz drumming legend, Alan Dawson, who was well known for playing with such Jazz greats as Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Quincy Jones, and many others.
He left Lucky Seven to go on the road with his first full-time music gig playing in a funky dance and show band called Shahara-Zod from 1980 to 1982. At that time, Stephen decided to go to Berklee School Of Music and graduated in 1986. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Northeastern.
Stephen began teaching professionally in 1992 and has since taught at music schools in the Massachusetts area including Antonelli's Music Center, Needham Music, Norfolk County Music, Acton Music Center, and his own teaching studio in Watertown.
He has played a wide variety of music styles from Dixieland Traditional Jazz to hard Rock to World rhythms from West Africa, Brazil, and Cuba, and has taught students from beginner to advanced from ages 6 to 70.
Stephen began teaching in 1992 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in January 2024, where he teaches drums.
Biography: Stephen showed an interest in drumming at a very early age and began formal training in 4th grade, taking lessons on the snare drum, and learning to read snare drum notation and fundamental rudiments. Once he reached middle school, he played in the school orchestra and also the marching band.
In 1975, Stephen was recruited by a science teacher and professional drummer to join the Watertown Fife and Drum Corps. Being the very first person to be recruited, he was assigned the task of recruiting any other potential drummers interested and taught other drummers the rudiments and cadences needed. In 1976, they went to the state capitol in Washington D.C. and played for the president who was Jimmy Carter at the time, and also played at Disney World in Orlando Florida.
Stephen's first professional drum set gig was in high school with a 7- piece band called Lucky Seven. They played parties, weddings, and other formal events. Around this same time, Stephen studied privately with Jazz drumming legend, Alan Dawson, who was well known for playing with such Jazz greats as Dave Brubeck, Lionel Hampton, Sonny Rollins, Sonny Stitt, Quincy Jones, and many others.
He left Lucky Seven to go on the road with his first full-time music gig playing in a funky dance and show band called Shahara-Zod from 1980 to 1982. At that time, Stephen decided to go to Berklee School Of Music and graduated in 1986. He also obtained a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Northeastern.
Stephen began teaching professionally in 1992 and has since taught at music schools in the Massachusetts area including Antonelli's Music Center, Needham Music, Norfolk County Music, Acton Music Center, and his own teaching studio in Watertown.
He has played a wide variety of music styles from Dixieland Traditional Jazz to hard Rock to World rhythms from West Africa, Brazil, and Cuba, and has taught students from beginner to advanced from ages 6 to 70.
Stephen began teaching in 1992 and joined Note-worthy Experiences in January 2024, where he teaches drums.