With the Symphony since the Fall of 1979, Stephen holds a Bachelor of Music Degree in Performance from the University of Toronto, under the tutorship of Thomas Monohan. Other teachers include: David Walter (N.Y.), Franco Petrachi (Italy), Warren Benfield (Chicago) and Janos Starker, an internationally renowned cellist. While in Toronto Stephen performed as a member of the National Ballet of Canada Orchestra, the Winnipeg Ballet Touring Orchestra, The Hamilton Philharmonic, The Chamber Players of Toronto, the National Youth Orchestra of Canada (Principal Bass ‘77and '78), as well as many other smaller orchestras in southern Ontario. A dedicated teacher, clinician, and adjudicator, since 1979 Stephen has been an Instructor of Double Bass and Sessional Lecturer at the University of Regina, as well as at the Conservatory of Performing Arts. In 1986, he was an instructor at CAYO in Banff, where he was also invited to do the world premiere performance of a piece composed and conducted by Luciano Berio. In 1989, he co-founded the successful Early Bird Ensembles (Chamber Music for Children) with RSO colleague Barbara Fitzpatrick. Over the years he has participated on numerous juries for the Saskatchewan Music Festival and Saskatchewan Arts Board. He has performed in and contracted musicians for most of the major musical events in Regina including: Phantom of the Opera; Les Miserables; Grease; Sound of Music, to name a few, as well as for the 2006 Gala, celebrating Saskatchewan's Centennial. In the late 80's he was selected to be the Music Director for the Queen Mother's visit. Not limited to the classical bass style, Stephen has also performed and recorded on upright and bass guitar for artists like Chet Atkins, Anne Murray, and Ashley McIsaac. Most recently, he has been headlining Pops Concerts with his soul brothers Ed Minevich and Jack Semple, collectively known as The True Jive Pluckers, who are currently promoting their new cd We Are Here, which was released in early 2009. Stephen is also the proprietor of McLellan and Co. Violin Shop in Regina. |
