Steve was born in Wales in 1973 and showed interest in guitar-related activities from an early age, starting with the ukulele at age 2...! He began studying the classical guitar at age 9 and after moving to Australia in 1985, Steve's playing moved sideways into steel-string and electric guitar, the electric side particularly reflective of his early inspiration of Hank Marvin & The Shadows.
Currently, Steve is a music lecturer at the University of New England (Armidale, Australia), local guitar teacher and is one half of the EphenStephen guitar duo. EphenStephen has released 2 CDs to date: "GUITARmidale" (featuring works by composers living locally to their area) in 2006, and their arrangement & performance of Bach's 'Goldberg Variations' for 2 guitars in 2008. They are regularly broadcast on ABC Classic FM.
Steve holds a BMus(hons) in performance and composition and is about to embark on the PhD road... He has been a finalist in the Australian Guitar Competition, and played in a diverse range of genres with many and varied ensembles ranging from the average pub gig to solo/duo recitals through to concertos. Steve has premiered many new works for guitar, both as a soloist and with Stephen Tafra in EphenStephen, the latest of which was Steve's own piece 'Spin Cycle' for two guitars, marimba and orchestra in 2008.
Steve’s compositions & performances have a broad range of focus, from surf guitar instrumental music through to contemporary western art music & everything in between. His music has been commissioned & played by a wide variety of musicians, from students through to professional ensembles, and with EphenStephen guitar duo premiered & commissioned much new music for guitar duo. Of particular relevance to Steve’s creative output is an interest in the New York minimalist & post-minimalist scene & composers, as well as the areas of transcription and 60s guitar instrumentals.
