Stephen is a national hammered dulcimer champion, freelance percussionist, & music educator.
He’s worked with artists like Andrew Peterson and David Phelps,
and appeared as a guest soloist with the Nashville Orchestra.
Photography by Joy Fisk
My Background
Stephen has released five albums as well as two instructional method books for students of the hammered dulcimer.
Stephen and his wife, Taryn, reside in Chattanooga, TN, where Stephen serves as the percussion instructor and instrumental music teacher at Silverdale Baptist Academy. In addition to this position, Stephen also teaches as an adjunct professor of percussion at Covenant College and keeps a private studio of percussion and hammered dulcimer students in and around the Chattanooga area.
M.A., Percussion Performance & Music Education Certification
2009 – 2011
I’m currently teaching at Covenant College and Silverdale Baptist Academy in Chattanooga and have published numerous articles, instructional books, and compositions in percussion and the hammered dulcimer.
Solo & Ensemble Performance
2005 – Present
Appeared as a guest artist for Andrew Peterson’s Resurrection Letters Tour, guest soloist with the Nashville Orchestra at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and placed First in the National Hammered Dulcimer Championship in 2007.
Freelance Percussionist
2004 – Present
Includes professional experience in Classical/Chamber Music, Jazz and Contemporary Drumset, Hand Drumming, and Hammered Dulcimer. Also available for private lessons in Drums/Percussion and Hammered Dulcimer.
Professional Workshops & Clinics
2008 – Present
I offer a wide variety of workshops and clinics for Hammered Dulcimer such as: Rudiments and Rhythm, Hand Interdependence, Music Theory, Hammered Dulcimer Repertoire, and other technique classes. I also offer workshops in Percussion such as: Snare Drum Fundamentals, Drum Set Fundamentals, Four-Mallet Fundamentals, Accessory Percussion Fundamentals, Latin Percussion Fundamentals, Collaborative Percussion, and Percussion from Around the World.
Masterworks Dulcimers
Instruments for a creative spirit
Stephen proudly plays, endorses, and is a vendor for Masterworks hammered dulcimers. His main instrument is a DulciForte 20/20 XR with dampers. To find out more about Masterworks or to get started on ordering your dream instrument, contact Stephen for more information.
Hymns Album
Stephen’s album of hymns is nearing completion! There are still several steps left to finish it, but the target release date is by the end of 2023. If you are interested in being a part of helping this project come to life, there are still opportunities to donate toward the album costs. Please click the button below to find out how you can donate toward this project.
Workshops & Clinics
For information on Workshops and Clinics please contact me. I’d love to be a part of your upcoming event.
